• Zaman praised late Abe’s contributions on the international stage, especially in promoting relations between Japan and the GCC

Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Outgoing Kuwait Ambassador Hasan Mohammad Zaman paid a courtesy call upon Akiko Santo, President of Japan’s House of Councillors, on Tuesday and reflected on how Kuwait and Japan had moved bilateral relations forward during his tenure.

The ambassador conveyed the condolences of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, and His Highness Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince, on the untimely passing of former Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo.

Zaman praised Abe’s contributions on the international stage, especially in promoting relations between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He noted that Abe was the first prime minister of Japan to pay two official visits to Kuwait. He described the death of Abe as a shock for the international community.

Regarding his tenure in Japan, Ambassador Zaman stated that he was able to realize progress in the promotion of bilateral ties between the two countries despite the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in cybersecurity, medical research and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He also conveyed the greetings of Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, Speaker of the National Assembly of the State of Kuwait, and an invitation to Santo to visit Kuwait.

On her part, Santo expressed her appreciation and gratitude for the condolences for Shinzo Abe, stating that the loss of the former prime minister was a great shock for the Japanese public.

She also commended Ambassador Zaman’s contributions in promoting bilateral relations and wished him success in his future endeavors. She expressed her gratitude for the invitation to visit Kuwait and hoped to honor the invitation at the earliest convenience.