Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) of Saudi Arabia was last month slated to visit Japan for the first time in five years. However, he canceled the trip due to concerns about King Salman’s health, with Japan announcing that it would be rescheduled.

Although details of the planned visit are unclear, there is clarity about the motives for engagement on both sides. While most analysis focuses on the Gulf Arab perspective, it is useful to also consider the driving factors on the Japanese side—including...