Cultural Relations Between Saudi Arabia and Japan From the Time of King ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz

to the Time of King Fahd

Amin K. Tokumasu

One of the most significant events that helped shape the relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia was when a Japanese Muslim made Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah for the first time in history. In December 1909 (12-1327H), Mr. Koutaro Yamaoka performed Hajj as the first Japanese to do so under the guidance of ‘Abd al-Rashid Ibrahim of Tatar. After returning, he published Sekai no shinpikyou Arabia Juudannki (‘Travels across the Arabian Peninsula’) (1912/1330H) and Kaikaikyou no Shinpiteki Iryoku (‘Mysterious Powers of Islam’) (1921/1339H).

Mr Yamaoka was followed by Mr Ippei Tanaka, who performed Hajj in July 1924 (1342H), with Mr Ma, a Chinese citizen. He published Hakuun Yuuki (‘Record of Hakuunyo’) (1925/1343). Mr Tanaka performed Hajj again in March 1933 (12-1325H), this time with Mr Hideo Nakao, a Japanese ex-diplomat.

Mr Yamaoka gave a presentation on his Hajj experience at his alma mater. In his presentation he said:

As many as 200,000 to 500,000 people of the yellow and black races assemble in Makkah every year. From my observation, there were about 200,000 people this year. To enter the Holy Territory of Makkah, these Muslims come to one of three ports: Jeddah, Yanbo, or Beirut. Before coming to these ports, they cut their hair, remove their clothes, and perform Islamic ritual ablution (Udu). They enter the Holy Land almost naked, with only a long piece of white cloth wrapped around their chests and waists. They cross the desert eastward for 60 km to enter Makkah. On the way they repeatedly call out the Islamic profession of devotion (talbiyah) in Arabic, many thousands in unison. Numerous people are gathered to the Holy Mosque in this way. This is the Mosque in the centre of which is the cubic Ka’ba, which is said to be the first construction made by human beings.

If there was a ritual or festival on the same scale in Japan, it would be impossible to preserve order without police control. However, in Makkah people of different races and classes are able to come together in a respectful manner, greeting each other with Al-salaam Aleikum and praying in the same style. The most trained, most orderly prayer is seen in Hajj.

After praying in Makkah, the pilgrims move on to Mt Arafat. Some ride camels and donkeys, some travel on foot. ... In these ways, the pilgrimage is not at all an easy matter. However, every year, thousands of Muslim pilgrims travel to Makkah, and from Makkah move on further, 300 miles towards the north, to the second holy city called Madinah [Nihon Isuramushi (‘History of Islam in Japan’) by Mr Fujio Komura, Tokyo, 1988/1408H, pp.362–5].

A Failed Attempt to Assassinate King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Observed by Japanese Pilgrims

On 15 March, 1935 (10-12-1353H), King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz was attacked by armed men during his performance of Hajj. This shocking incident was witnessed by four Japanese pilgrims, Messrs Shouzo Kouri, Takeshi Suzuki, Masashi Hosokawa, and Taro Yamamoto, who were also performing Hajj and were praying at the Ka’ba sanctuary, where the attempted assassination took place. Mr Takeshi Suzuki reports this incident in his Mekkah Jyureiki (‘Hajj’) (1943/1362). What he observed was as follows:

At that time, King Ibn Saud was carrying out the seven circumambulations (Tawaaf) with ten of his men. They wore the exact same costume as we did, with exception of few men carrying guns for protection. During the Tawaaf of King Ibn Saud, the others sat quietly surrounding His Majesty and his men. The King and the others read the Qur’an in a loud voice. They had gone through four circumambulations and were on their fifth, when suddenly four thugs jumped out of the crowd and attacked the King with swords!

Three thugs were immediately shot to death, and one was captured. It all happened so quickly – but I clearly remember how the King yelled to his men who were shooting, ‘Don’t kill them! Capture them!’ When matters had been settled, the Mosque again grew quiet as usual. His Majesty continued with his Tawaaf as though nothing had happened.

The King’s attitude during and after the sudden attack was praised as being brave and calm. He was admired as the great king who had undergone the difficulties of uniting the whole of the desert into a single country [Takeshi Suzuki, Mekkah Jyunreiki, pp. 185–7].

A Saudi Delegate Attends the Inauguration Ceremony of the Tokyo Mosque In May 1938 (3-1357H), many ambassadors from Islamic nations attended the Tokyo Mosque’s dedication ceremony in Ooyama-chou, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. The Saudi government sent HE Hafiz Wahaba, Minister to Great Britain, to attend this ceremony. During his visit, the minister actively conducted interviews with Japanese government officials. This was the first visit to Japan made by a Saudi government official.

Minister Yokoyama’s meeting with King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz In March 1939 (2-1358H), as a response to the visit of Minister Hafiz Wahaba, the Japanese government sent HE Masayuki Yokoyama, Minister to Egypt, on a special mission to Riyadh. Mr Tomoyoshi Mitsuchi, a technician of the ministry of commerce and industry, and Mr Eijirou Nakano, an interpreter, accompanied him.

They travelled on a ship departing from Suez for Jeddah, and arrived on 26 March (5-2-1358). On the next day they left Jeddah in a fleet of four cars. It took five days for them to drive through the desert to reach Riyadh.

On 1 April (11-2-1358H), they met King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz at the Muraba Palace in Riyadh. Mr Nakano described this incident in his book Arabia Kikou (‘Travels in Arabia’) (1944/1363H) in the following terms:

We crossed the large hall diagonally through the pillars, towards a large man sitting on a special throne, dressed in a Mishlah. On the right-hand side, seven or eight men in Mishlah sat with stern faces. We knew by intuition that the large man sitting in the corner was King Ibn Saud. We went forward, and His Majesty stood up. With a mild expression on his face, he first took Minister Yokoyama’s hands, and then shook hands with Mr. Mitsuchi and myself. He greeted us simply and warmly: Ahalan Wa Sahlan. Biamaniilla (‘Welcome, under the protection of God’). As I shook hands with him, I replied that we were honoured. The hand of the great leader was unexpectedly soft. At his beckoning, Minister Yokoyama sat on the left side of His Majesty, and Mr. Mitsuchi and I sat facing His Majesty, Mr. Mitsuchi on the left side and I on the right. Beside His Majesty’s seat was a small desk. On this desk were a telephone, a pair of binoculars, and a Qur’an.

His Majesty was a large man, about 183 cm in height. Dressed in a black Mishlah, his body looked robust, with a majestic, regal presence. On his head he wore a black Iqal with a golden braid coiled around it. His red and white Gotrah was humble, its design and material being exactly the same as those of the one worn by our driver Shakir. Under the Mishlah he wore a Kuftaan, which reminded me of the school uniform worn by the students of Al-Azhar University. He wore no shoes, but instead wore thick grey socks. I have heard that His Majesty disliked bad smells. For that reason, perhaps, he wore a perfume that hung in the air.

His features were as follows. His face was long, and larger than those of most Arab men. His moustaches and beard were strikingly thick and dark; such luxuriance is rarely found, even in the Arab world. The habitual expression in which his mouth was set aroused nostalgic feelings among those who lived in the desert. His eyes were large, and appeared a little unclear. The white foggy star in his left eye, and his amputated left middle finger indicated that he was no stranger to the harshness of battle. He wore a large ring on his right little finger. Under his left eye was a mole. His skin was brown and healthy-looking. His voice was low and warm. He wore a calm smile on his face as he spoke to us.

The language he spoke was close to standard Arabic. There were some parts of it that we could not understand, however, because of his use of a Syrian pronunciation and his regional dialect.

His Majesty mainly conversed with the minister. At times he directed a few words to me, to which I responded directly. Many topics were discussed in the hour-long meeting: religion, international relations, politics, economics, and so on. Throughout the meeting, His Majesty’s voice never lost its friendly and respectful tone. When the topic of conversation changed to subjects such as business negotiations, national systems, and international relationships, he smiled and called on his advisers for confirmation [Eijirou Nakano, Arabia Kikou, pp. 196–9].

Conversations with the King

About the issue of the Saudi national system, the King said:

Shariah is the one and only law in Saudi Arabia, before which every man is equal. It is under this law that the most perfected form of democracy lies. The democracy of the Western nations is based on enforced law. On the other hand, Shariah is the holy law given by Allah, and, consequently, pious Muslims could have no powerful or compelling feelings against this law. We have no enforced law to implement national defence either. The Emir of each Kabila (tribe) is responsible for settling problems in his region. The result is the peaceful situation you see today.

About international relations, the King said:

We affirm that by all means we want to keep friendly relationships with all the neighbouring nations as well as with other powerful nations. We prefer not to take the sides of Germany and Italy or Britain, the USA, and France. As for Japan, we think of it and respect it as a powerful empire of the east. We certainly do not support communism. At present, there is no need on our part to repress communism politically, though, for its philosophy cannot possibly infiltrate into our country.

About the Jews, the King spoke with emphasis:

Jews had been influential in developing that characteristic of European society whereby the weak become victims of the strong. To the Palestinians, our brothers, we are here to lend a helping hand. We have mentioned this in our last handwritten letter sent to President Roosevelt of the USA. The Jews disturb world peace, and therefore we would like the support of Japan in this struggle [ibid., pp. 199–201; The King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Foundation translated this book into Arabic in 1997 for its Research and Archives (DARAH)].

The Era of the Sons of King ‘Abd al-‘Aziz (1953–1998/1372–1419H)

Establishment of Embassies in Japan and Saudi Arabia

Diplomatic negotiations between Japan and Saudi Arabia started before the Second World War. They were, however, discontinued on the outbreak of war. After the war, in 1951 (1370H), Saudi Arabia signed a peace treaty with Japan, which took effect in March 1954 (7-1373H). Japan immediately resumed negotiations with Saudi Arabia, and in June 1955 (10-1374H) an official diplomatic relationship was established between the two countries.

In 1956 (1375H) the Japanese government appointed HE Yutaka Tsuchida, ambassador to Egypt, to serve concurrently as minister to Saudi Arabia. In January 1958 the Saudi government established an embassy in Tokyo, appointing HE Asad Faqih as ambassador. To this the Japanese government responded by the promotion of Minister Tsuchida to ambassadorial rank.

In January 1966 (10-1385H) a Japanese Embassy was finally established in Jeddah, with HE Hideji Tamura as chargé d’affaires ad interim. Ever since then, both countries have maintained a good diplomatic relationship.

In October 1984 (1-1405H) the Japanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia was relocated from Jeddah to Riyadh. At the same time, the Japanese Consulate General was established in Jeddah. The Embassy, reconstructed in the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh, opened in August 1985 (11-1405H). Currently (June 1998/2-1419H), there are 23 staff working there, including the ambassador. As of April 1998 (12-1418H), the number of Japanese citizens living in Saudi Arabia is 882, most of them living in Riyadh or Jeddah. There are about 50 Japanese enterprises with businesses in Saudi Arabia (April 1998/12-1418H).

Exchanges of Visits by High Officials between Saudi Arabia and Japan Since the 1960s (1379–1389H) when the embassies of the two countries opened, the exchange visits of Saudi and Japanese high officials have multiplied, especially since the oil crisis of 1973 (1393H). A list of the main high officials who have participated in such visits on either side is appended at the end of this chapter as an Appendix to Chapter 15.

Within this list, the visits that deserve special comment are the Royal and Imperial visits between the two countries.

HM King Faisal’s visit to Japan in May 1971 (3-1391H) was warmly welcomed by the Japanese Imperial Family, government, and people. As the first visit of a King of Saudi Arabia to Japan, it significantly advanced and strengthened the relationship between the two countries [see Bulletin of the Japan–Saudi Arabia Society, No. 30, 1971 (1391H), Tokyo].

Correspondingly, on 28 February 1981 (23-4-1401H), HIH Crown Prince Akihiko and HIH Crown Princess Michiko of Japan (now HIM the Emperor and HIM the Empress) made the first Imperial visit to Saudi Arabia, which the Saudi Royal family, government, and people warmly welcomed in their turn [Bulletin of the Japan–Saudi Arabia Society, No. 93, 1981(1401H)].

The visit of HIH Crown Prince Naruhito and HIH Crown Princess Masako to Saudi Arabia 13 years after their parents’ visit to Saudi Arabia was also welcomed warmly by Saudi Arabia, strengthening the bond between two countries [Bulletin of the Japan–Saudi Arabia Society, No. 175, 1994 (1415H)].

From 21 to 23 October 1998 (Rajab 1–3, 1914H) HRH Crown Prince ‘Abd-Allah visited Japan for the first time and met with the Japanese Emperor Akihito, Crown Prince Naruhito, Prime Minister Obuchi and other leading figures in political, governmental and business circles. The Crown Prince held fruitful talks with them about co-operation between the two countries. The Japanese general public was able to sense some of the characteristics of the Crown Prince, such as his nobility, dignity and gentleness, through their presentation in the Japanese mass media. On the occasion of this visit, Crown Prince ‘Abd-Allah opened the splendid new Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, which is located in the centre of Tokyo, on 22 October (Rajab 2). The new embassy is expected to be a centre for further promoting bilateral co-operation between Saudi Arabia and Japan long into the twenty-first century.

Cultural and Educational Exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Japan The history of cultural and educational exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Japan is as follows:

Activities of the Saudi Government Participation in Exposition’70 in Osaka The International Exposition’70 was held in Osaka for 6 months from 14 March 1970 (7-1-1390H) onwards. Saudi Arabia participated in the exhibition by displaying the Saudi Pavilion. The pavilion had marble pillars whose design reflected the forms assumed by the flow of crude oil. In its corner was a Qiswa cloth for covering the Ka’ba, with its magnificent Islamic patterns. It is reported that the splendid display of the pavilion attracted and impressed thirty thousand visitors each day.

HE ‘Abid Muhammad Salih Shaik, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, and many other guests from Saudi Arabia also attended the exhibition.

Assistance Given to the Publication of a Japanese Translation of the Qur’an There are several Japanese translations of the Qur’an, but most of them up to 1961 were translated by non-Muslims, using English translations of the Qur’an as sources.

In 1961 (1381H) Mr Ryoichi Mita, a Japanese Muslim, went to Makkah to make a Japanese translation of the Qur’an, and stayed there for several years. After he returned to Japan he completed his translation in May 1971 (3-1391H). The next year, he published the first direct Japanese translation of the Qur’an, printed in parallel with the Arabic text.

The Muslim World League (RABITA) in Makkah fully supported this project. RABITA gave accommodation to Mr. Mita during his stay in Makkah. It assisted him in the translation process, checking the Arabic version word for word, and supplied all the expenses of publication. RABITA also sent this Japanese translation of the Qur’an to the principal libraries and organizations all over Japan [see the ‘Preface’ to the Japanese Translation of the Qur’an, Japan Muslim Association, Tokyo, 1992 (1412H)].

Support for the Japan Muslim Association and Other Islamic Organizations in Japan The Japan Muslim Association, established in 1952 (1371H), in 1968 (1388H) became the first Muslim organization in Japan that was approved and registered as a religious corporation by the Japanese government. Today the association has around 150 members, most of them Japanese. The members are all Muslims, who pay an annual membership fee and are registered in the members’ list.

The association is managed by a president (currently Mr Khalid Higuchi) and directors (currently eleven in number), who are selected by election in a general meeting every two years. It has an office at Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, and has four branches, in Riyadh, Cairo, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.

One of the objects of the association is to send young members to study in Muslim countries. The number of such members has reached sixty already. On returning to Japan, most of them have taken up active roles in the teaching profession or in private enterprises.

The association’s activities are proposed and decided by the monthly board meetings and carried out by volunteers. Members who have studied in Egypt and Saudi Arabia usually take the initiative in these activities. The main activities of the association are:

Teaching the Arabic language: The Arabic language course is held from Monday to Friday (18.30—20.00 p.m.) in three classes: beginners’, intermediate and advanced classes are taught by the association members who have studied in Arab countries. People who want to study the history, culture, and society of Arab countries, and those who hope to study Islam in Islamic countries join the course.

Studying the Qur’an and the Hadith: The class for the recitation of the Qur’an and the explanation of Tafseer is held every Saturday from 11.00 a.m. on. The class is open to any person who wishes to study and understand Islam in more detail. Members who graduated from the Islamic University in Saudi Arabia are now in charge of the course.

Islamic lectures: On the afternoon (13.30—15.00 p.m.) of the first Sunday of every month, lectures are given by those members who have studied Islam and stayed in Islamic countries for a long time. This event is also open to the public. The subjects of the lectures may vary: Islamic history, Islamic law, Arabic literature, personal experiences in an Islamic country, business with Islamic countries, etc.

Islamic camp: In this camp, members get together to pray from the Fajr prayer before the break of day onwards, and to think and talk about Islam. Non-Muslims who are interested in Islam are also invited. It gives such people a chance to see what a Muslim’s life is like. About 100 participants from Japan and seven to eight Muslim countries participate every year, and expand their friendship through communication.

The camp is held on a weekend in mid-October every year. Participants gather on Saturday evening and break up on Sunday afternoon. The programme includes: lessons on how to read the Qur’an and how to pray, speeches by individuals on their life experiences, an Islamic quiz, a barbecue party, and so on.

Islamic graveyard: The association has only one graveyard beside the Turkish graveyard. It is located on the hill of Enzan City, in Yamanashi prefecture, and to reach it takes about one hour and forty minutes from Shinjuku by train and 10 minutes by taxi from Enzan station.

Some 20 per cent of the total 8,200 sq. m. of the graveyard site has been developed. The association use this land for burial (50 bodies have been buried there to date); however, there is not enough space. The association is planning to develop other areas.

Publications:

The association issues its bulletin bimonthly, to inform its members about its activities and to give them other useful information.

The association also reprints 2,000 copies of the Japanese translation of the Qur’an every two years, for the benefit of its members and the public. This Qur’an was translated in 1971 (1391H) by Hajj Omar Mita, ex-President of the association. It has been reviewed and revised by scholars among the members. Other publications of the association include an Introduction to Islam, 200 Hadith, and so on.

Communication with Other Islamic Organizations: The association has a good relationship with foreign Islamic organizations. Examples of these foreign associations are: the Muslim World League (RABIA), WAMY and Daar Al-Ifta in Saudi Arabia, Al-Azhar in Egypt, RISEAP in Malaysia, Muhammadiyah in Indonesia, and so on. It also has a good relationship with other Islamic organizations in Japan.

Communication with Other Religious Organizations in Japan: In the process of world détente and regional democratization, a call for dialogue and mutual understanding is growing in the religious world. The dialogue of co-operation between Islamic organizations and other religious organizations is an indispensable step towards the future peace of the human race.

For example, the Inter-religious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace was held in Kyoto for 3 days from 2 August 1997 (29-3-1418H). Around forty foreign representatives from various religions in the world took part in this gathering. As representatives of Islam Dr ‘Abd-Allah bin Saleh Al-Obaid, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Saudi Arabia; Dr Ahmed Omar Hashim, President of Al-Azhar University, Egypt; and Sheikh Ahmed Kuftara, the Grand Mufti of Syria, participated in this major assembly, with its two thousand participants. A representative of the Japan Muslim Association also joined the Islamic group.

Dr ‘Abd-Allah Al-Obaid delivered an address on ‘East–West Religious Dialogue and Mutual Understanding’ at the first session of the assembly. The audience were very much impressed with his speech, for they could understand from it that Islam is a religion of love that only seeks peace in the world and to avoid wars and conflicts with anyone, whatever their races, religions and nations.

The Japan Muslim Association undertakes a wide range of Islamic activities, such as proselytization, publicity work, the education of Muslims, the performance of religious ceremonies, promoting friendship with Muslim countries, and so forth.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Centre of Japan was established in Tokyo in 1964 (1384H). It was registered as a religious corporation in 1980 (1400H). It has an office at Ohara, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, and undertakes religious activities. It has about fifty members, most of whom are non-Japanese.

The Saudi government, through RABITA and Daar Al-Ifta, has been giving financial aid and has been sending da’is (propagandists) to the Islamic organizations in Japan. The Saudi government has also been sending Saudi Islamic scholars and missionaries to help spread Islam in Japan [Introduction to the Japan Muslim Association, 1998 (1419H), Tokyo].

Establishment of the Arabic Islamic Institute Arabic Islamic Institute was established in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, in 1982 (1402H). It is a branch school of the Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, and its purpose is to spread Islam and the Arabic language and culture. The university sent several instructors to set up the Institute in Tokyo.

After several years the Institute was transferred to a building in Minato-ku, Tokyo. This was the building that was used as the embassy of Saudi Arabia. At the end of 1996 (1417H) the building was closed for renovation. The new building, with four floors plus two basements, was completed in July 1998 (3-1419H).

Around a thousand people can pray at the same time in the new Institute, which will be a centre dedicated to introducing Saudi Arabia and Islamic culture to Japanese people.

The GCC’s Youth Festival in Tokyo

The GCC’s youth festival was held in Tokyo for one week from 19 September 1985 (5-1-1406H). The cultural mission consisted of about four hundred young people from the GCC’s six countries, including young people from Saudi Arabia. It was headed by HRH