Kinichiro: We appreciate Kuwait's efforts to maintain secure and stable energy supplies for global markets
The official visit by Foreign Minister Sheikh Jara Al-Jaber to Japan on August 26, 2026, reflects both countries’ commitment to strengthening their strategic ties and expanding areas of cooperation amid rapid regional and international developments and growing challenges that require enhanced coordination and dialogue. The visit holds particular significance as the first standalone visit by a Kuwaiti foreign minister to Japan since 2010, following a notable diplomatic exchange between the two nations, including Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled’s visit to Japan in May 2025 and the then-Japanese Foreign Minister Takaichi Sanai’s visit to Kuwait in September of the same year.
Japan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Mokai Kenichiro, emphasized that Sheikh Jara’s visit carries substantial importance for both countries, underscoring Kuwait’s dedication to maintaining dialogue with its partners, particularly amid regional tensions. In a statement, he noted that the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister was received by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanai, who conveyed a personal message from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, a move highlighting the high level of political relations and Kuwait’s standing in Japan as a reliable partner.
The ambassador added that Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed during the meeting Japan’s resolve to work closely with Kuwait to support peace and stability in the Middle East, expressing Tokyo’s desire to contribute to enhancing the resilience of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and supporting reconstruction efforts and economic growth. He pointed out that the repeated communications between the foreign ministers of both countries reflect growing political coordination, noting that Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Sheikh Jara held phone calls in April and June last year, alongside a meeting in Ankara in July.
During the encounter, the Japanese minister expressed his country’s appreciation for Kuwait’s efforts to maintain secure and stable energy supplies to global markets, commending the steady flow of Kuwaiti crude oil to Japan. He clarified that the energy sector remains a cornerstone of Kuwait-Japan relations, with Kuwait serving as a key partner for Japan in securing energy supplies, while Japan is a vital economic and technological partner for Kuwait. He stated that international and regional developments underscore how energy security is now closely linked to global security and stability, prompting both nations to deepen cooperation in this field.
He added that Japan launched the “POWERR Asia” initiative to bolster energy security in Asia, which includes funding for emergency crude oil purchases, securing critical mineral supply chains, and expanding supply centers and overseas reserves for oil-producing Gulf states in Asia. He explained that Japan continues to operate within the framework of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) vision, aimed at supporting stability, freedom of navigation, and economic prosperity in vital sea lanes.
He noted that while energy remains central to bilateral relations, Kuwait-Japan cooperation has expanded to include the economy, education, culture, and sports, reflecting a shift toward a more comprehensive strategic partnership. In this context, the Japanese Embassy in Kuwait hosted a farewell event on August 24 for Kuwaiti athletes participating in the 2026 Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, attended by State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma.
He highlighted that such activities underscore the importance of cultural and sports exchanges in fostering closer ties between the two peoples, alongside official cooperation in political and economic fields. He observed that Sheikh Jara’s visit to Tokyo marks a new milestone in Kuwait-Japan relations, offering an opportunity to enhance coordination and translate political and diplomatic momentum into practical projects and initiatives across multiple sectors.
He concluded that as security, energy, economic, and development issues become increasingly interconnected, the Kuwait-Japan partnership is entering a new phase that transcends traditional energy-sector cooperation, moving toward a broader partnership grounded in shared interests, trust, and mutual respect.
