- ARAB NEWS
- 01 May 2025
Since 1975
The Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Tokyo hosted a reception to mark the anniversary of Kuwait’s Independence Day and Liberation Day.
The event was attended by several distinguished Japanese figures, including IKUINA Akiko, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs; HONDA Taro, State Minister for Defense and State Minister for the Cabinet Office; and IIJIMA Isao, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan.
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Kuwait’s Independence Day, celebrated on February 25, marks the country’s formal independence from British protection in 1961. Following that, the Liberation Day on February 26 commemorates the end of the Gulf War in 1991, when Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation.
Ambassador Sami Al-Zamanan spoke of Kuwait’s past and future, and its contribution to the upcoming Osaka Expo.
“The State of Kuwait was keen to be among the first countries to sign the participation contract for the Expo,” he said. “Kuwait’s distinctive pavilion, under the subtheme ‘Empowering Lives,’ is set to be a statement reflecting Kuwait’s human-centered vision for building capabilities and embracing the future while remaining deeply rooted in the traditions and customs of Kuwait’s society.”
“As we celebrate this momentous occasion for our beloved country, we also celebrate the special friendship that unites Kuwait and Japan.”
The response from the representatives of the Japanese government mentioned the strength of the bilateral relations between the two countries and their long history of friendship, which even pre-dates the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961.
“Japan and Kuwait have helped each other as friends when facing historic difficulties. In the wake of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Japan provided financial aid and dispatched minesweeping units of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Gulf.”
“Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Kuwait extended one of the most generous assistances in the world to the affected areas, including a donation of crude oil worth 40 billion yen. Japan will never forget the generous assistance we received from Kuwait.”
The reception was attended by a diverse group of guests, including members of the Japanese Parliament, the diplomatic corps, and representatives from the business, academic, cultural and media sectors, highlighting the strong ties between Kuwait and Japan.
