Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA)Syria and Japan announced on Tuesday the resumption of relation, marking the start of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

The announcement followed an official meeting in Damascus betweenMohammad Zakaria Lababidi, Director of the Department ofAfro-Asian and Oceania Affairs,and Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign AffairsYohei Onishi, along with senior officials from both sides. The visit represents the highest-level Japanese diplomatic trip to Syria in more than 15 years.

During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand bilateral ties and resume cooperation across multiple sectors. Onishi extended an official invitation to Syrian Foreign MinisterAsaad Hassan al-Shaibanito visitJapan.

Lababidi expressed Syrias interest in benefiting from Japans experience in reconstruction and development, while the Japanese delegation pledged new support for Syrias rebuilding efforts and reaffirmed Japans support for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The officials also discussed the role of the Japanese private sector in reconstruction, including a planned business forum to encourage investment and theJapan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) training programs for Syrian professionals, particularly in the electricity sector. Japan also welcomed Syrias participation in Expo 2027.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates thanked Japan for its continued support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination to deepen bilateral relations.