Arab News Japan

Sanriku Railway Co., a railway company in Iwate, is displaying their gratitude for Kuwait’s assistance after a strong earthquake and tsunami damaged train tracks and stations on March 11, 2011, by launching new trains designed in honour of Kuwait.

Kuwait’s financial grant, worth 2 billion yen ($19 million), aided the railway company in purchasing eight new cars.

“We received a great contribution (from Kuwait) to help resume operations,” Ichiro Nakamura, president of Sanriku Railway said, according to Kyodo news.

The trains are decorated with plates with the words: “Thank you Kuwait” printed on them in both English and Japanese.

The plates also include an image of the Kuwait Towers—three iconic buildings.

There are also four varying designs including other elements symbolic of the nation.

In response to the ceremony at Miyako Station on March 1, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Hasan Mohammad Zaman expressed kind words regarding the launch, emphasizing the trains’ role in representing hope amidst disaster, Kyodo news reported.

“I had the honor to participate in a ceremony held by Sanriku Railway Co in Iwate Prefecture on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the relaunch of the Sanriku Railway by the support from the State of Kuwait. This support was provided by the State of Kuwait to Japan and included Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, in addition to Iwate Prefecture with the aim of addressing the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck north East Japan in 2011, which the Japanese people succeeded in overcoming thanks to their perseverance, efforts, and aspiration for a better future. This support is also considered to consolidate the friendly relations between the State of Kuwait and Japan,” ambassador Zaman said. 

 The 2011 earthquake had a 9.1 magnitude and caused a tsunami with 30-foot waves. The disaster resulted in around 22,000 death and missing cases.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan on Feb. 13 was an aftershock of 2011’s quake.