Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has begun his Middle East tour with a meeting with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister.

Abe met Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at a state guesthouse in Riyadh on Sunday after arriving in the Saudi capital the previous day.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has left Japan on a 3-nation Middle East tour amid growing tensions in the gulf region.

Abe said "Based on the friendly relations Japan has built with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, I will call on the leaders to seek stability in the region through talks and rational measures."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will leave Japan on a three-nation Middle East tour amid growing tensions in the region.

Abe plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman from Saturday through next Wednesday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to have decided to go ahead with his three-nation Middle East tour.

Abe plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman starting on Saturday.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he will make further diplomatic efforts to help ease the tensions between the United States and Iran.

Abe told reporters on Thursday morning that Japan has strongly urged all the parties concerned to exercise restraint, and that his country values diplomacy based on self-control.