Meeting held in Mie Prefecture to consider support measures for businesses affected by worsening Middle East situation; Governor Iken says “We need to take proactive measures as early as possible.”

Mie Prefecture, located in central Japan, is historically significant as the home of the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingū), Japan’s most sacred Shinto site, which has been rebuilt every 20 years since the 7th century. The region was also a major hub for pilgrims traveling the Kumano Kodō trails and was governed by powerful feudal lords. Today, it is renowned for its spiritual heritage, pearl cultivation in Toba, and as the setting for the ninja traditions of Iga.

The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, historically known as the “Cradle of Civilization” where some of the world’s earliest human settlements, writing systems, and major empires (like the Sumerian, Babylonian, Persian, and Ottoman) emerged. It is the birthplace of the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and has been a central crossroads for trade, culture, and geopolitical influence for millennia. Today, it remains a region of profound historical significance and contemporary importance, defined by its diverse cultures, languages, and complex modern history.

Dubai is a major global city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, historically a small fishing and pearling village. Its modern transformation began with the discovery of oil in the 1960s, but it is now most famous for its ambitious architecture, luxury shopping, and tourism, symbolized by landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah.

The New Meishin Expressway is a major toll road in Japan, opened in stages between 1963 and 1965, connecting Nagoya and Nishinomiya. It was constructed to relieve congestion on the original Meishin Expressway and forms a critical part of the central Japanese highway network, facilitating east-west travel and economic activity in the Kansai and Chubu regions.

Kameyama City, located in Mie Prefecture, Japan, is a historic castle town that developed around Kameyama Castle, built in the late 16th century. It later became a significant post station on the Tokaido road during the Edo period and is known today for its modern role as a major transportation hub and the home of a large semiconductor plant.