05/29/2013
H.E. Mr. Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan Visits Iwate Children’s Care Center to Reconfirm Friendly Ties between Japan and Kuwait

H.E. Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan traveled to Iwate Medical University Yahaba Campus at Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture. The trip was arranged upon invitation from the university to attend the Unveiling Ceremony of the Memorial Plate that Commemorates the Friendship with the State of Kuwait.

Besides H.E. the Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi, H.E. Mr. Takuya Tasso, Governor of Iwate Prefecture was another Honorable Guest at the Unveiling Ceremony. Together with H.E. Mr. Tasso, Mr. Mr. Kenji Takeuchi, Director of the East Japan Great Earthquake Reconstruction HQ of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Dr. Akira Ogawa, CEO and President of Iwate Medical University, and Dr. Akio Sakai, Head of Iwate Children’s Care Center, jointed H.E. Mr. Al-Otaibi jointed the unveiling of the plate.

wate Children’s Care Center is established in order to provide care and support to children who suffer from mental stresses and traumas after the East Japan Great Earthquake and the tsunami disaster. The local care centers are already in operation at the coastal areas of Miyako, Kamaishi and Ofunato. The Iwate Children’s Care Center, started its operation earlier this month, functions as the central facility that supports the local centers comprehensively. The project is commissioned by the Iwate Prefectural Government to Iwate Medical University.

In order to furnish the facility, the donation from the State of Kuwait of 137 million yen allocated to Iwate Prefecture through the Japanese Red Cross Society was utilized. The total amount of donation the State of Kuwait extended reached more than 40 billion yen so far.

In order to show gratitude to the donation, the plate attached to the wall of the entrance of the center says that the center was constructed for the children affected by the disaster “in the spirit of solidarity between Japanese and the people of Kuwait.” Corresponding to the remarks, H.E. the Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi underlined “the true friendship that binds Japan and the State of Kuwait” in his congratulatory speech. H.E. Mr. Tasso, Iwate Governor expressed sincere gratitude to “the encouraging support and massive donations” from the State of Kuwait on behalf of the Iwate people.

After the ceremony, H.E. the Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi and H.E. the Governor Mr. Tasso were guided to the facility inspection. The facility is equipped with not only the consultation and therapy rooms, but also the play rooms and activity rooms carefully designed to provide calm and relaxed atmosphere for children. H.E. the Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi and H.E. the Governor Mr. Tasso paid deep attention to the explanations and observed the functions.

After the inspection, H.E. the Ambassador Mr. Al-Otaibi attended the press conference. Upon the question from a local news reporter, the Ambassador stated that “I wish this center contribute to the recovery of children from the disaster.”