Japanese ambassador bids farewell to Kuwait, heads to Saudi Arabia

• H.E. Morino Yasunari, the Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait, expressed pride in strengthening bilateral ties, promoting Japan’s culture and tourism in Kuwait, and processing about 500 Kuwaiti visas monthly. He said Japan and Kuwait have great potential to become partners in addressing international problems of common interest.

• Ambassador Yasunari called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid to Gaza, noting Japan has provided $128 million in aid since October 7, 2023.

H.E. Morino Yasunari, the Japanese Ambassador to the country, highlighted that his three-year tenure in Kuwait has been highly productive, commending the strong Kuwaiti-Japanese relations both at the governmental and people-to-people levels.

During a press conference at his residence, he praised Kuwaiti initiatives to learn the Japanese language and culture.

He stated that he would leave Kuwait on November 19 to assume his duties as Japan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, adding that the new ambassador, Mokai Kenchiro, would arrive after his departure. He also mentioned that he would miss his Kuwaiti friends, who had shown him great warmth and generosity, and whom he would cherish in his memory and heart forever.

He expressed pride in his achievements over the past three years, including strengthening bilateral relations and introducing the Kuwaiti people to Japan’s rich culture and tourism. He also noted that the embassy’s consular section processes about 500 visas for Kuwaitis each month.

“Only realistic solution to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the two-state solution”

The Japanese ambassador explained that the only realistic solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the two-state solution, where Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and dignity, achieved through negotiations based on international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Japan is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation, which has been deteriorating due to ongoing fighting in Gaza, as well as in other areas, including the West Bank and Lebanon. Japan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians across Gaza. He stated that Japan has provided about 128 million US dollars in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people since October 7, 2023.

Japan seeks to strengthen ties with the GCC

He pointed out that Japan seeks to strengthen relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and looks forward to the Gulf Cooperation Council summit to be hosted by Kuwait in December.

He added that Japan and the GCC agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two parties and to hold regular meetings between Japan’s foreign ministers and the GCC ministers. The most recent meeting of foreign ministers between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council was held in Riyadh in September 2023.

Japan and Kuwait enjoy long-standing, deep relations of friendship

He stated that Japan and Kuwait enjoy long-standing, deep relations of friendship, which have greatly benefited both countries, pointing out that it has been 63 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations between them. Both countries are constantly working to strengthen and develop this relationship.

He also noted that Japan sincerely appreciates the generous support provided by Kuwait when Japan suffered from the destruction caused by the great earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

He added that oil trade is the cornerstone of bilateral relations. Japan began importing crude oil from Kuwait even before the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1958. That year, the Kuwaiti government granted a concession to the Arab-Japanese Oil Company (AOC) to explore and develop hydrocarbon reserves in the offshore divided area, which led to the discovery of the Khafji field in 1960. Kuwaiti oil has played a major role in subsidizing Japan’s rapid economic growth.

He concluded by saying that Japan and Kuwait have great potential to become partners in addressing international problems of common interest. For example, Japan and Kuwait can cooperate to create a sustainable human society. KPC and its counterpart in Japan annually organize a joint seminar on sustainable energy technologies, where companies and experts from both countries exchange knowledge and expertise.

“Japan and Kuwait can also work together to protect the environment, as Japanese companies possess technologies for recycling various materials and generating energy from waste, which can be applied in Kuwait,” the ambassador added.