MUKAI Kenichiro Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait

Peace and stability in the Middle East are extremely important to Japan and to the world. Since the beginning of the recent crisis, which started on June 13th in the region, Japan has consistently called on all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and to work toward de-escalation. Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue during the G7 Summit meeting on June 16th. Japan sincerely hopes that the ceasefire agreement reached on June 24th will be faithfully implemented and will lead to reopening the path to dialogue about Iran’s nuclear issue. As the only country in the world that suffered atomic bombings, Japan has actively worked to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. Japan has taken various opportunities to share the Japanese position with the countries concerned, including Israel, and urged those countries to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In the meantime, Japan has consistently expressed serious concern over Iran’s nuclear issue, reaffirming that Iran’s development of nuclear weapons must never be allowed for the sake of maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. Japan and Kuwait share and always emphasize the importance of diplomacy. Amid the increasingly complex Middle East situation, Japan places great importance on its long-standing friendship with Kuwait. Kuwait, as a trusted mediator and advocate for dialogue in the Gulf region, has played a prominent role.

During the recent crisis, Kuwait took proactive diplomatic steps as the Chair of the GCC. This leadership deserves high praise. In May 2025, when His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled visited Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Ishiba, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his respect for Kuwait’s significant role in promoting regional peace and stability as GCC Chair, and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating toward long-term peace and stability in the region. As the Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait, I hope to make efforts to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Kuwait towards rebuilding trust in the region through dialogue. Under the framework of the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” which was announced during His Highness’s visit, Japan will expand its cooperation with Kuwait in a wide range of fields, in energy security, humanitarian assistance, and the promotion of international dialogue.

By MUKAI Kenichiro
Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait