Japan endorsed Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the basis for resolving the Sahara dispute during high level talks Friday between Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, marking one of Tokyo’s strongest formulations to date on the issue.
In a joint communiqué issued after a video conference between the two ministers, Japan welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2797 adopted in October 2025, saying it “endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal as basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution” and recognized that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution.”
Tokyo also expressed support for ongoing UN-led negotiations based on Morocco’s autonomy initiative and called on parties to engage in talks without preconditions.
“Japan expressed its support for the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his Personal Envoy in facilitating and conducting negotiations taking as basis Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute,” the statement said.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi said Japan was ready to act “taking into account its position and the current progress of the situation, including at the diplomatic and economic levels.”
The Sahara language came as Morocco and Japan moved to broaden cooperation across security, energy, technology, industry and infrastructure, as both countries marked 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The two governments agreed to institutionalize a strategic political dialogue through regular consultations between their foreign ministries, with the next round scheduled for 2027 in Rabat.
On economic cooperation, the ministers said they wanted stronger integration between Moroccan and Japanese industrial ecosystems, particularly in automotive manufacturing, aerospace and high value industrial production. Japan also highlighted Morocco’s growing role as an African industrial hub and encouraged further Japanese investment in the kingdom.
The communiqué stressed supply chain resilience, technology transfer and renewable energy cooperation, including potential partnerships in hydrogen production and clean energy infrastructure. The two sides also highlighted ongoing cooperation between Morocco and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation on energy transition projects.
The ministers also expanded cooperation on security and defense, including counterterrorism, organized crime, peacekeeping operations and information sharing related to national security threats across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Japan additionally welcomed Morocco’s Atlantic initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI, including the Atlantic African States Initiative, the Nigeria Morocco gas pipeline project and the initiative aimed at giving Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean.
The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence governance, scientific research, higher education, fisheries, water management and agricultural technology, while discussing future direct air links and expanded cultural exchanges.
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