[Provisional Translation]

1. Upon learning of the demise of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, I would like to express, on behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, my heartfelt condolences to the Al-Saud family, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian people.
   
   
2. The late Crown Prince worked throughout his life for the Islamic world and for the further peace and stability of the world. In addition, for many years he performed an important role in foreign diplomacy in the areas of humanitarian support and peace in the international community, and in achieving the development and prosperity of Saudi Arabia.
   
   
3. In relations with Japan, the late Crown Prince became the first Cabinet Minister from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to visit Japan in 1960, and laid the foundation for amicable relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. When he made an official visit to Japan as Crown Prince in April 2006, a joint statement titled "Towards the building of strategic and multi-layered partnership between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" was issued that became the foundation for the further development of Japan-Saudi Arabia relations. Based on that joint statement Japan-Saudi Arabia relations have deepened in a multi-layered fashion in various disciplines.
   
   
4. News of the demise of a wise and gifted leader such as this represents a tremendous loss not only to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a country, but also to the many countries, especially Japan, that enjoy amicable relations with that nation.
   
   
5. It is my sincere hope that the Government of our ally the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian people overcome this grief as soon as possible.

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