The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan Exchange Group (JPX) hosted the Japan–Gulf Business & Investment Forum 2026 in Dubai on January 14, bringing together UAE government officials, sovereign wealth funds, investors, and financial institutions interested in partnerships and investment opportunities in Japan.

The event underscored the steady rise of Middle Eastern investment into Japan, led by major sovereign wealth funds such as Public Investment Fund (PIF), Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and Mubadala Investment Company. These funds are expanding long-term investments in sectors including gaming, fintech, digital infrastructure, and decarbonization, reflecting growing confidence in Japan’s competitiveness and regulatory reforms.

According to Japan’s Cabinet Office, inward foreign direct investment reached a record JPY 53.3 trillion at the end of 2024, more than doubling over the past decade. The government has set ambitious targets of JPY 120 trillion by 2030, with further growth envisioned in the early 2030s.