• Al-Futtaim has been a key player in the UAE-Japan economic partnership for 70+ years, bringing Japanese excellence in automotive, technology, and lifestyle to its customers
• Iconic brands including Toyota, Lexus, Seiko, Panasonic and Toshiba are exclusively represented by Al-Futtaim across the Middle East
• Al-Futtaim is participating at the UAE Pavilion in Expo 2025 in Osaka, highlighting the role of collaboration and partnerships in advancing sustainability and innovation

Dubai, United Arab Emirates; May 6th 2025: Al-Futtaim, one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, is proud to celebrate over 70 years of successful partnerships with Japan and its globally iconic brands. This enduring relationship underscores Al-Futtaim’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and bringing world-class products and services to the Middle East.

Over the decades, Al-Futtaim has partnered with a diverse portfolio of leading Japanese brands, including Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Panasonic, Seiko, Toyota Material Handling, Toto, Hino, Toshiba, Yanmar, and Hitachi. These partnerships have been instrumental in introducing cutting-edge technologies, high-quality products, and exceptional customer service to the UAE market, contributing to the vibrant economic exchange between the two countries.

“For 70 years, the Al-Futtaim Group has been a key bridge between the UAE and Japan, fostering long-lasting relationships built on trust, shared values, and common aspirations. Abdulla Al Futtaim’s entrepreneurial foresight all those years ago laid the foundation for an enduring alliance that has since expanded to include a portfolio of leading Japanese brands. As the third generation of our family to lead the Group — with the fourth generation already active in the business — I am proud that our partnership with Japan has not only stood the test of time but has also helped shape the future. Our continued collaboration with leading Japanese brands reflects not only a deep commitment to excellence and innovation, but also our dedication to consistently driving progress across multiple sectors,” said Omar Al Futtaim, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Al-Futtaim. “Looking ahead, we are committed to growing these relationships by forging new, innovative partnerships with Japanese companies, ensuring that our collaboration remains a cornerstone of the UAE-Japan relationship for generations to come.”

“We are honoured to welcome Mr. Omar Al Futtaim to the UAE Pavilion at EXPO OSAKA 2025. His family’s legacy as the distributor of Toyota vehicles in the UAE since 1955 stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between our nations,” remarked His Excellency Shihab Al Faheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. “For over 70 years, private business relations between Japan and the UAE have flourished — built on mutual respect, trust, and shared vision. From pioneering companies like Toyota to other leading Japanese enterprises such as Honda, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and Hitachi, these collaborations have played a vital role in strengthening the economic and cultural bonds between our countries. The UAE Pavilion proudly showcases these deep-rooted ties and celebrates a future of continued innovation and cooperation.”

Al-Futtaim’s commitment to Japan aligns with the UAE’s own long-standing relationship with the country, which was one of the first to recognise the UAE as an independent state on 3 December 1971 and established diplomatic relations on 6 May 1972. The UAE’s participation in the Osaka Expo 1970 further underscores the early connection between the two nations.

The UAE is Japan’s top trading partner in the Arab world in terms of exports and imports, accounting for nearly 40% of Japan’s total exports to the UAE. Meanwhile, Japan is among the UAE’s top 10 trading partners. The two nations have also initiated efforts to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which will foster new avenues for collaboration and support the sustainable economic growth of both nations and their people.

Bringing iconic brands to the Middle East

Al-Futtaim’s multi-sector partnership with Japan spans automotive, lifestyle, technology, and infrastructure. Toyota remains a market leader in the UAE, and Al-Futtaim’s retail partnerships have introduced Japanese excellence in fashion, electronics, and mobility to millions of customers across the region. Al-Futtaim has continually invested in sustainable mobility and advanced logistics, helping bring Japanese innovation to everyday life.
“Our 70-year partnership with Toyota reflects Al-Futtaim’s enduring commitment to excellence and innovation in the automotive industry. We deeply value this collaboration and Toyota’s relentless Kaizen approach to continuous improvement, which has been central to our shared success. Together, we have established Toyota as the most successful automotive brand and a clear market leader in the UAE, delivering quality, reliability, and innovation to generations of customers. This partnership underscores Al-Futtaim’s pivotal role in shaping the region’s automotive landscape and driving the future of mobility,” said Paul Willis, President at Al-Futtaim Automotive.

Hirokazu Yoshida, Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation, shared: “For over 50 years, Al-Futtaim has been a trusted partner in bringing Panasonic’s innovations to the Middle East. Their deep understanding of the regional market and commitment to excellence has allowed us to deliver products that enhance everyday life. Together, we’ve built a long-lasting relationship grounded in trust and shared values. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, driving innovation and realizing holistic wellbeing in the region for many years to come.”

Akio Naito, President, Seiko Watch Corporation said: “Seiko and Al-Futtaim share a long tradition of craftsmanship, trust, and innovation. Their dedication to excellence has helped us reach new audiences and tell our brand story in a region that appreciates precision, design, and heritage. We are proud to celebrate this 70-year journey together.”
From April to October 2025, Al-Futtaim will proudly participate in the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. This engagement underscores the shared values of innovation and sustainability between the UAE and Japan, aligned with Expo 2025’s theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

Al-Futtaim’s role at Expo 2025 also represents a full-circle moment for the UAE’s participation in World Expos hosted by Osaka, celebrating a rich legacy while looking to the future.
As the region looks toward a more connected, sustainable, and tech-driven future, Al-Futtaim remains committed to being a bridge between the UAE and Japan, continuing to move nations forward — together.