Abe meets Saudi king amid tensions in Middle East

I trust PM Abe as much as I trust my mum, that means a lot. I know, indeed, that I'll be thumbed down on this extremely anti-Abe website, but freedom of speech it is. I bet he will make something big out of this trip and I expect much more from him in the future.

Abe should not have met with Mohammed bin Salman. He should have politely declined. The crown prince is a murderer.

Although I don't rate our PM, I am impressed with the willingness to dialogue with the terrorist nation of Saudi Arabia.

As repugnant as it is to some, talks are the way forward.

That said, lives must always take precedence over money.

 a tour of oil-producing Gulf Arab states

Japan, Inc. is said by some to have started the Pacific War because the Japanese economy relied on burning oil and because of an oil blockade. For the last 80 years Japan, Inc. have known that Japan is resource poor and dependent on states like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, the US, Russia and others to provide gas and oil. Why haven't Japan, Inc., especially with Japan's highly educated scientists and technicians, come up with more ways to reduce the economy's dependence on burning fossil fuels? Could it be the fossils who've long run Japan Inc?

That said, lives must always take precedence over money.

I don't think "lives" was the reason for Abe's visit. The ever so diplomatic Abe made a lightning visit and was in and out of Saudi Arabia before you can say "Khashoggi".

that chair is going to tip over if he doesn’t sit in it properly

Good job PM Abe!

The worst Prime Minister ever!

Sitting as though overwhelmed by the opulence and majesty of A master of material property.

What’s up with the green flowers in the foreground?

Valentine come early for the Saudis???

It is not only the Ghosn scandal, the Abe Cabinet are destroying Japan's reputation around the world, unbelievable !

Although I don't rate our PM, I am impressed with the willingness to dialogue with the terrorist nation of Saudi Arabia.

But you're not impressed with Trump's willingness to do the same. What gives?

I bet he will make something big out of this trip and I expect much more from him in the future.

What big things will he make, cobber?

What’s up with the green flowers in the foreground? Valentine come early for the Saudis???

LOL. Green is the symbol of heaven in Islam and the main color in the Saudi Flag.

Trump's willingness to do the same.

The USA sold a lot of weapons & military equipment to the Saud-led regime, while Japan up until today has a very restrictive exportation of such equipment down to the level of high tech component to produce them.

The hypocrisy level is very high indeed for Uncle Sam.

The Saudis pray for the day back that betrayed Saddam, Saddam was the only ones that could stop Iran .now Iran will rule the area in the near, Iran had almost 20 years to consolidate power, Saddam feared them, they feared, now everyone fear Iran

What's up with the stack of celery bunches on the table?

Japanese may had it bad in Japan, but you would not want to get arrested by the vice police for showing a little skin or cleavage by accident

Muppet meets murderer.

With Japan ranking 121 on the world gender equality index and with the Saudis even worse and with Yemen the worst ranking nation.....it makes you wonder if such a triumvirate has ever gathered in one place at the same time.

Most likely talking about kimono fashion.