Asahi, Yomiuri, and Mainichi reported on a meeting held between Prime Minister Abe and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Kantei on Tuesday, during which the two leaders agreed that Japan and Qatar will launch a strategic dialogue led by their foreign ministers. The two leaders issued a joint statement afterward saying that Japan and Qatar will promote cooperation in such areas as energy development and investment through the dialogue. Abe also expressed Japan’s gratitude for Qatar’s assistance in the release last October of Japanese freelance journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who was held captive in Syria for more than three years.