Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Embassy of Kuwait in Japan celebrated on Wednesday the 63rd anniversary of independence and the 33rd anniversary of liberation of Kuwait.

Ambassador Sami Al-Zamanan hosted the reception and greeted the guests, who included TSUJI Kiyoto, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as well as various members of parliament, government officials, company leaders and diplomats.

In his welcoming speech, the ambassador said that his country’s independence “marked the historic beginning of our distinguished diplomatic relations with friendly Japan, with whom we share a strong friendship and a model partnership at multiple levels and fields.”

The Ambassador touched on the many problems facing the world today.

“Our ceremony today coincides with a number of bloody crises ravaging the world, most notably the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the devastating earthquake that struck the Noto region in Japan, resulting in a large number of victims and injuries and extensive property destruction. We extend our sincere condolences to the friendly Japanese people and to the families of the victims.”

The ambassador recalled visiting the affected areas, where he met with a number of officials, as well as families and children who were affected by the disaster. He assured them that the Kuwaiti people always stand by the Japanese people in such circumstances.

Ambassador Al-Zamanan also stressed his country’s unity with the Palestinian people. “The dangerous humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied Palestinian territories and the aggression against the Gaza Strip have continued since October 7, 2023.” He stressed Kuwait’s “steadfast position in standing by the brotherly Palestinian people and supporting them in obtaining their full rights and establishing their independent state.”

Ambassador Al-Zamanan added: “We call for the need to strengthen joint international action to stop the ongoing fighting in Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to it, and find the best ways to end this disaster, which threatens the security and stability of the region as a whole.”

State Minister Tsuji congratulated the government and people of Kuwait and said that Japan and Kuwait have been “important partners since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961, not only in the energy sector but also in economic, cultural and other fields.”

He said that the two countries helped each other as friends when they faced historical difficulties, pointing to Japan’s financial assistance to Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion in 1990 – worth $13 billion – and sending minesweeping units of the Japanese Maritime Defense Forces to the Gulf.

He also praised the assistance provided by Kuwait to Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. “Kuwait provided us with one of the most generous contributions of aid, which included a donation of crude oil worth 40 billion yen. Japan will never forget the generous assistance of Kuwait.”

Tsuji said that Japan and Kuwait share many common positions in the international arena and expressed Japan’s appreciation for Kuwait’s leadership in the United Nations, particularly on the topic of Security Council reform.

“Our two countries are great partners in working to rebuild confidence in the United Nations and the multilateral system,” Tsuji said.

He added that both countries are also committed to international efforts to resolve conflicts and provide humanitarian aid and stressed that Japan will continue to make every effort to cooperate with Kuwait at the bilateral and international levels “on the basis of our common values.”

Tsuji also expressed his “heartfelt” congratulations to Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the occasion of his assumption of the position of Emir of the State of Kuwait, and expressed his hope that Japanese-Kuwaiti relations will continue to develop under his new leadership.