3/1/2011
Kuwait Embassy in Tokyo Celebrates National Occasions

The Kuwait Embassy in Japan held a grand reception on Monday evening to mark Kuwait's 50th anniversary of Independence Day, 20th Liberation Day and the 5th anniversary of His Highness the Amir's assumption of power. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi and his wife Jamilah Al-Otaibi, Kuwaiti diplomats, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's Tokyo Office Representative Tokyo Office Waleed Al-Abduljaleel and Kuwaiti students in Japan celebrated the event.
More than 1,000 guests, including high-ranking officials, parliamentarians, businesspersons, academics, diplomats and prominent media figures attended the celebration at Tokyo's Imperial Hotel. Among guests of honor were Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoshikatsu Nakayama and Chairman of the Japan-Kuwait Society Kuniyasu Takeda. On the sidelines of the event, the embassy held a photo exhibition showing the history of the Kuwait-Japan relationship and screened Kuwait's achievements and development. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi congratulated on this occasion His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti people. In his speech at the outset of the reception, Al-Otaibi said, "We are very proud to host the event, and the great number of quality guests attending the celebration reflects the distinguished and deeply-rooted relations between Kuwait and Japan," he said. The ambassador briefed the guests on the progress made by Kuwait in the political, economic domains as well as its contributions to the international community via the Kuwaiti Fund for the Arabic Economic Development (KFAED) that has boosted its cooperation for development with 104 countries. He also thanked the guests for participating in the celebration and expressing warm feelings towards Kuwait in its national festivals.
"This is a good chance for Kuwaitis to review our great heritage and achievement and the great responsibility they face in building the country's future under the wise rule of our leaders," he said. Al-Otaibi recalled with gratitude to Japan's support of the 1991 liberation, "Kuwaitis will never forget your support during the Iraqi occupation in 1990 and your efforts in liberating us in 1991," he stressed. As this year's national celebrations coincides with commemoration of the golden jubilee of Kuwait-Japan diplomatic ties, the ambassador lauded the long-lasting bilateral relations which have witnessed a continuous growth in all domains, adding that his embassy is preparing a variety of commemorative events to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. On behalf of Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara and Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Makiko Kikuta, Director-General of the ministry's Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Shigeo Matsutomi congratulated the Kuwaiti leadership and people on the occasion, wishing the country further development and prosperity. In his speech, Matsutomi also said that Kikuta, who attended Saturday's huge celebration in Kuwait, praised the stability, security and economic development of Kuwait at a time when the political unrest is escalating in some Middle Eastern countries. Kikuta visited Kuwait as Prime Minister Naoto Kan's Special Envoy and delivered a handwritten letter from Japanese Emperor Akihito addressed to HH the Amir, and another letter from Kan to HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser.
In an interview with KUNA, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoshikatsu Nakayama emphasized that Japan is keen on enhancing bilateral cooperation with Kuwait, not only in oil and energy sectors, but also in such fields as environment, water business, express railway system, investment, finance through "win-win strategy." Nakayama, who is also Chairman of the Japan-Kuwait Parliamentary Friendship Committee, underlined a landmark five-year cooperation deal with Kuwait in September for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy covering issues such as expertise exchange, human resource development, nuclear safety. In addition, he expressed satisfaction with the launch of the Japan-Kuwait Joint Committee by the two governments in last June during the visit to Tokyo by Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. At the first Japan-Kuwait Joint Committee that he convened, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad assured Kuwait's commitment to fostering stronger bilateral ties in such fields as economic, trade, energy and investment sectors. Japan is one of Kuwait's major trading partners, with two-way trade in 2010 stood at USD 12.5 billion. The country is also Kuwait's biggest oil buyer. The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Head of Mission Mohammad Al-Mutairi, First Secretary Saad Al-Mehaini .