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Saudi Arabia’s King comes to Japan
On 12 March, arrived at Japan
Middle East・Saudi Arabia’s King Salman.
That Saudi Arabia’s King comes to Japan is since 1971,
the first time in 46 years, this is the King riding on the ramp.
In fact, the ramp moves!
This is not a staircase but an “escalator type” ramp.
Considering the King in 81-year-old elder age,
Deliberately before the visit, the Saudi side brought this special device
to Japan.
Saudi Arabia includes most of the areas in the Arabia Peninsula,
Its area is about six times of Japan.
With the Islamic Holy Places Mecca and Medina,
Islam is its state religion and people observe strict religious precepts.
Such Saudi’s King’s overseas trip
is known to be luxurious beyond imagination.
For instance, in 2015.
As vacation during his three-week stay in Southern France,
the beach around the villa was restricted for entry and marked as “reserved status”.
An elevator exclusively for connecting the beach was also installed.
And then, this time, the Saudi side, for the King,
brought these imported luxurious cars to Japan.
“Mercedes・Maybach・S Guard”,
a vehicle made in full order for leading people.
Because it is not available in the market its price remains secret,
equipped with bulletproof glass, can attach “landmine guard”
this is said to be such type of vehicle.
In this way, Saudi Arabia becomes
one of the world’s leading “rich countries”,
because of the “oil fields” discovered one after another since 1930s.
It is now the largest petroleum-producing country in the Middle East,
the crude oil imported by Japan,
around 30% comes from Saudi Arabia as well.
Then, why the King has overseas trips with an entourage of 1,000,
in Saudi Arabia the King also takes the duties of prime minister
along with the role of King he also performs almost all the state administration.
For this purpose, when the King moves
the ministers and the royalty, and the capital functions also move together.
According to experts, the place where the Kings resides is the “capital”,
because of this there are a lot of people with him.
Then why this time, the King
visits Japan the first time since 46 years?
The keyword is “reduce dependence on petroleum”.
That the large petroleum country Saudi aims at “reducing dependence on petroleum”
is surprising,
the background is “long-time worldwide low price of crude oil”.
From 2014, the price of crude oil hovers around half of the price.
While 90% of its export depends on crude oil
the state finance of Saudi records deficit for consecutively three years.
Thus far with the tremendous revenue on crude oil,
There is no income tax and consumption tax, tuition fee and medical expenses is also free of charge,
courteous securities are offered to the citizens.
However, if these securities cannot be maintained,
the spear of the citizen’s discontent may be pointed
to the royalty.
In view of this, Saudi Arabia is aiming at
“Saudi Arabia not relying on petroleum”.
Having great interest in Asia, particularly Japan,
during the meeting between King Salman and Prime Minister Abe held on 13 March,
the two countries, as “strategic partners”
confirmed the strengthening of their relationship.
And then, from Japan towards Saudi,
“investment”, “energy”, “free trade”,
and “culture and entertainment” such as animation
the two countries agreed to cooperate in these fields.
Source: News Zeroイチメン (http://www.ntv.co.jp/zero/ichimen/2017/03/post-337.html)