Abstract: Abes second cabinet period was a very “significant” period for Japan to deepen and expand its energy diplomacy in the Middle East. During his second term as prime minister, Abe frequently visited the Middle East, especially focusing on strengthening energy cooperation with important energy producing countries in the Middle East and the Gulf. During Abes second cabinet, Japans energy diplomacy in the Middle East mainly covered the fields of oil and gas, renewable energy and nuclear energy. During Abes second cabinet, Japan deepened and expanded its energy diplomacy to the Middle East under the joint promotion of various factors. Japans primary goal in deepening its energy diplomacy towards the Middle East is to absolutely maintain and ensure the security of Japans energy imports in the Middle East, provide absolute support and guarantee for Japans normal economic and social development, and take the opportunity to expand and highlight Japans unique diplomatic influence in the Middle East. Japan faces many challenges and problems in deepening and expanding its energy diplomacy in the Middle East. In the future, Japans energy consumption structure will still rely on fossil energy such as oil and gas to a considerable extent. Therefore, Japan will objectively and inevitably continue to deepen and expand its energy diplomacy to the Middle East in the future. Whether it can effectively deepen energy diplomacy towards the Middle East will be the “observation window” to test Japans energy security strategy and Japans overall diplomatic wisdom.

Key words: energy diplomacy, the Middle East, oil and gas, energy security, sea route