HIS Majesty King Hamad yesterday received at Al Rawdha Palace Japanese Ambassador Shiguki Sumi and community members.

The King said the Japanese community is an integral part of the “extended Bahraini family.” He cited his visit to Japan at the invitation of Emperor Akihito and said it coincided with the 40th anniversary of Bahraini-Japanese ties. Bahrain is looking forward to enhancing them, he added.

The King said Bahrain has succeeded in overcoming repercussions of last year’s incidents through national unity, solidarity, openness and transparency and hailed the Japanese people’s perseverance and will to face challenges and keenness to promote global peace and prosperity. He said Bahrain is committed to its comprehensive consensus reform march, noting Japan’s support and the community’s contributions to the kingdom’s development.

Mr Sumi said the three-day royal visit to Japan in April was successful. He highlighted meetings between both ruling families in Japan and on the sidelines of the celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

He confirmed Japan’s support for the royal reform process and said Tokyo is keen to work with Bahrain to achieve further stability and social justice.

The King hosted a dinner banquet for Mr Sumi and community members.