Damascus, Aug. 2 (SANA)Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassanal-ShaibanimetJapanese Assistant ForeignMinister and Director-General of the Middle East and Africa Bureau Keiichi Iwamoto in Damascus on Sunday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation, reconstruction efforts and investment opportunities.

The meeting reviewed relations betweenSyriaandJapanand explored ways to strengthen cooperation across areas of mutual interest, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry.

The two sides also discussed reconstruction and investment and reaffirmed their support for Syria’s unity and stability.

The talks come amid renewed Japanese support for Syria’s reconstruction and economic recovery efforts.

On June 2, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yohei Onishi, reaffirmed Japan’s support for the private sector’s contribution to Syria’s reconstruction and economic recovery efforts.

In a recorded video message delivered during the First Syrian Private Sector Dialogue 2026 in Damascus, Onishi said Japan hoped the Syrian people would make further progress toward recovery, development and stability.

The conference, organized by the Ministry of Economy and Industry in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan, brought together government officials, business leaders and development partners to discuss economic recovery and private-sector growth.