Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: The Kuwaiti ambassador in Japan, Hasan Mohammad Saleh Zaman, hosted a photo exhibition at the embassy Wednesday on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Japan.

The event was attended by high-ranking Japanese officials, diplomats, and friends of Kuwait and Arab countries in Japan.

The photos in the exhibition reflected the history of relations and bilateral ties between the two countries in many fields, such as energy cooperation, the royal families, and leaders’ summits.

Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah Foreign Minister of Kuwait, conveyed in a recorded message the best wishes of Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, the country’s leaders and people to the leaders, government and people of Japan.

“I appreciate our friendly countries’ historic and deep-rooted relations,” Sheikh Ahmed Al-Sabah said. “It is with pride that I recall the onset of our relationship in 1961, a role model of relations between countries. I also recall with great appreciation and pride the path of our extraordinary relations throughout the years and their resilience against the challenges that the rapidly changing international situations have brought about. Kuwait attaches great importance to promoting its relations with Japan.”

Kuwait-Japan relations started in the 1950s and developed after Kuwait agreed in 1958 to grant the Arabian Oil Company Ltd. an oil and gas concession. This agreement was one of the most significant aspects of cooperation with Japanese private companies in this field. In 1958, the first oil shipment was exported to Japan before Kuwait and Japan established their diplomatic relations.

On this day in 1961, Japan was among the first countries to recognize the independent State of Kuwait. Then both countries agreed to exchange ambassadors.

Trade volume reached $1.7 billion in 2020. Kuwait is also a primary source of crude oil for Japan.

In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Zaman highlighted Japan’s stance after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990: “Japan rushed to support Kuwait’s legitimate rights; it has provided $13 billion in financial support to the International Coalition Forces and supported international efforts until the liberation of the State of Kuwait.”

Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Honda extended on behalf of the Government of Japan heartfelt congratulations on the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. “I am particularly delighted that the relations between the two countries are not limited to the energy sector, but have also achieved steady progress in extensive areas such as politics, economy, and culture.”

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the Kuwaiti government and people for Kuwait’s donation of crude oil, the equivalent of 40 billion yen, helping to fund the reconstruction of the Minami Sanriku Tetsudo Railway in northeast Japan, which continues to play a major role in transporting the people of the region.”