Japanese Ambassador Morino Yasunari expressed his hope to develop the bilateral relationship between his country and Kuwait, stating that “we should not be satisfied with the current relationship Japan and Kuwait holds, but work on developing the relationship beyond oil trade”.
This came in a speech delivered by Yasunari while he hosted representatives of the local media at his home on the eve of Japan’s celebration on the occasion of the birthday of the Emperor of Japan.
“Japan and Kuwait has a strong friendship, including friendly relationship between the imperial family and the ruling family in Kuwait,” Yasunari said. He also added that “Kuwait is an important supplier of oil for Japan, and that Japan appreciates the role Kuwait plays in stabilizing the global oil market.”
He aexpressed that his country possesses technologies that can be applied to develop the infrastructure in Kuwait, in areas such as electricity, energy, water, waste management and the environment, through the cooperation between the Japanese and Kuwaiti experts of these fields.
Yasunari indicated that Japan’s embassy in Kuwait would also make efforts to increase people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. “I would like to see more Kuwaitis visit Japan for the purpose of tourism. Hence a delegation from the Japan National Tourism Organization will visit Kuwait from time to time to facilitate cooperation between the Japan National Tourism and Kuwait travel agencies so that interested people in Kuwait will have the necessary information to travel to Japan, stay safe and enjoy a full range of Japanese charms.”
The ambassador also explained that “The exchange between people in the field of education is also important, therefore, I would like to see more Kuwaiti students studying in Japan. Many Japanese universities have become keener on accepting students from the Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, including Kuwait. It would also be a delight to see if more Kuwaitis learn the Japanese language,” pointing out that there are universities in his country that teach the Arabic language as well. Yasunari continued to explain that he studied Arabic in Egypt and Syria.
The ambassador also mentioned that there are about 20 Kuwaiti students studying in Japanese universities, most of whom are studying engineering. The universities that teach medicine in Japan are also very famous and prestigious, pointing out that there are a few Kuwaitis who go to his country for treatment.
Regarding religious freedom in his country, he said, “The Japanese constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that the Muslims in Japan hail from Pakistan and Bangladesh, in addition to a very small number from the Middle East, specifically from Egypt and Palestine.
“Japan and Kuwait upholds international peace and prosperity and follows the law among both countries. The law enables both countries to overcome any issues through discussions rather than force. As a member In the United Nations Security Council, Japan will promote the law, and is willing to cooperate with Kuwait and its laws.” Yasunari said.
In response to a question about whether there are talks between Kuwait and Japan to give visa exception to Kuwaiti citizens wishing to visit Japan. Yasunari stated that Kuwaiti diplomats and special passport holders do not need a visa to enter Japan, indicating that all Kuwaitis need just about a week to obtain a visa and that Kuwaitis should visit the embassy to obtain visas rather than online. The embassy has issued about 400 tourist visas since the beginning of this year.
The Japanese ambassador also stated that Kuwait is the third country after Saudi Arabia and the UAE that supplies Japan with oil and its derivatives, pointing out that “this trade, which holds long history between the two countries, will be restored after the completion of the Covid pandemic.” He also added that there are a good number of Japanese companies operating in the field of oil and water refining in Kuwait and that most of the power plants in Kuwait use Japanese equipment.
Yasunari thanked the Kuwaitis for their satisfaction and confidence in Japanese industries and products and wished for this confidence to be continued and strengthened in the future. The ambassador lastly pointed out that the Kuwait Fund for Development is an important partner for Japan and he praised the humanitarian assistance and services provided by the Fund in several parts of the world.
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