Dubai: The Japanese community in the UAE is steadily increasing as Japan eyes the booming business and tourism sectors in the country, the new Japanese consul-general told Gulf News.
“The Japanese population in Dubai is gradually increasing simply because of business and tourism. Many people are getting to know that Dubai is the gateway to the Middle East not only among the businesspeople but also for the general public,” Hisashi Michigami, who recently assumed the post of Japanese Consul-General, told Gulf News.
Dubai is Michigami’s first Middle East assignment after serving in Japan’s foreign missions in China and Korea, where he served as Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission from 2011 until February this year.
“Dubai has the biggest population of Japanese people in the Middle East and the whole of Africa. The number is now around 3,000. The number may not be very big in your eyes compared to the Chinese population but by the Japanese standard, Dubai has the biggest Japanese population compared with any other cities in the region and in Africa.”
The Japanese population has increased from 2,600 in 2013 to almost 3,000 this year. The majority are businesspeople based in Dubai.
Michigami said developing good relations with the community and assisting them are among his top priorities, along with cultivating the already strong bilateral relations.
In 2013, Japan’s exports to the UAE was pegged at $8.5 billion (Dh31.195 billion) while its imports from the UAE was $42.5 billion. The automotive industry remains the most lucrative source of exports for Japan. Rubber, plastic, and glass products come next.
Michigami said, like Dubai, the next six years will be crucial to Japan as it prepares for the 2020 Olympics.
“Dubai has the Expo 2020. That year, 2020, is also a very important year for Japan because we will have the Olympic games in Japan that year. So, for the two countries, UAE and Japan, 2020 will be a very important year so we can mutually support each other.”
Michigami expressed his gratitude to the UAE and its people for extending its support, especially when the country was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
“I have to say thank you very much for the support that we received from the UAE government and people. It was very, very helpful to our people.”
Another disaster recently occurred in central Japan with the sudden eruption of Mt Ontake on Saturday, but Michigami said no one from Dubai has so far reported family members affected by the tragedy.
Michigami entered public service and foreign missions in 1983. He finished his law degree from the University of Tokyo. He studied at the Graduate School at Seoul National University before finishing his master’s at Harvard University.
