Japanese Ambassador: Kuwait is an important country, and our relations extend beyond the economy to education, culture, and sports

Japan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Kenichiro Mukai, emphasized the importance of Kuwait to his country regarding the securing of stable energy supplies, adding that within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership, “we have built a broad-based relationship that focuses not only on the economy but also encompasses education, culture, and sports.”

Ambassador Mukai stated in an interview marking the recent official visit by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber to Tokyo that Kuwait-Japan relations have continued to evolve through high-level visits. He noted that this momentum was further bolstered by the visit of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, to Japan in May 2025, followed by the visit of then-Japanese Foreign Minister Toshiyuki Iwaya to Kuwait in September 2025.

Furthermore, he pointed out that amid ongoing tensions in the region, Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber’s visit to Japan under these circumstances holds significant importance for both countries, adding, “We wish to express our respect and gratitude to him for this visit.”

He clarified that during this visit, Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber paid a friendly visit to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, carrying a written message from His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad. “The warm reception accorded to Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber by Prime Minister Takaichi reflected the importance of Kuwait to Japan as a partner, with both nations sharing the same core values of the rule of law, respect for international law, and resolving issues through dialogue with the international community, while jointly contributing to addressing international and regional challenges.”

Ambassador Mukai noted that the Foreign Minister’s visit to Japan “will contribute to supporting exchanges between our two countries, and it is also my responsibility to work on consolidating these ties here in Kuwait.”

He mentioned that the Japanese Prime Minister conveyed to Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber her determination to continue working closely with Kuwait for peace and stability in the Middle East, and reaffirmed Japan’s desire to play an active role by supporting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through reconstruction and economic growth.

He highlighted that the strength of relations between the two friendly countries is evident in the numerous communications between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber over a short period (phone calls in April and June, and a meeting in Ankara in July). He added that during that meeting, Minister Motegi expressed his appreciation for Kuwait’s efforts to maintain secure and stable energy supplies for the global market amid difficult regional conditions, specifically conveying his appreciation and gratitude for the continued stable supply of crude oil from Kuwait to Japan.

Ambassador Mukai explained that Asian countries have been significantly affected by the current regional situation; therefore, Japan launched the POWERR Asia initiative as a framework to enhance energy security, finance the purchase of crude oil in emergencies, and secure critical mineral supply chains across Asia. This initiative also contributes to expanding the supply centers and external reserves of oil-exporting Gulf states in the Asian region, “and cooperation with Kuwait in this regard remains indispensable.”

In addition, he affirmed that Japan is promoting the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision, which aims to safeguard stability, ensure freedom of navigation, and support economic prosperity in vital sea lanes.

On another note, he pointed out that on August 24, they held a farewell ceremony at his residence for Kuwaiti athletes participating in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games, attended by State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma.