Japan-Kuwait relations in 2025

22/12/2025

It has been a year since I presented my credentials to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in December 2024. The past year was one of my most warm and rich diplomatic experiences, full of strengthening diplomatic, cultural and humanitarian ties and making beautiful memories with the people of Kuwait. I will surely never forget the warm welcome, kindness, and affection I received here. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the occasion of the second anniversary of His Highness’s assuming power. His Highness’s wise leadership and commitment to the welfare and renaissance of Kuwait and its people are greatly admirable.

Advancement of bilateral relations based on the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”

During the past two years, under His Highness’s leadership, the bilateral relations between Japan and the State of Kuwait witnessed remarkable progress and development. In May 2025, during His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah’s visit to Japan, the two countries agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” which reflected the depth of the relationship and opened new horizons for cooperation in energy, economy, security, and culture, aiming for mutual prosperity and regional stability. Then in September, the Second Japan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held under the leadership of Kuwait, which had the GCC Presidency.

Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan (at the time) attended the Meeting, and paid courtesy calls to His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; and had a meeting with His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Mr. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. High officials’ visits continued in late October when Tokyo Governor, Ms. KOIKE Yuriko, accompanied by startup companies, came to Kuwait.

The bonds between Japan and Kuwait were improved and deepened at various levels through these visits. Furthermore, in November, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, former Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, attended a conferment ceremony in Japan, where he was bestowed with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. This highest honor granted to foreign nationals was awarded in recognition of His Highness’s outstanding contributions to strengthening and promoting the friendly relations between Japan and Kuwait throughout his distinguished service as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief of the Amiri Diwan, and Prime Minister.

EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN

This year indeed witnessed a grassroots-level deepening of familiarity with Kuwaiti culture throughout Japan. I believe 2025 offered an opportunity for Japanese people to feel closer to Kuwait, especially at the Expo 2025 Osaka, the Kuwait Pavilion, which featured desert sand and a planetarium, became a hot topic among the Japanese public and was widely covered on media. I myself visited the pavilion with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and was impressed to see so many people lining up for the pavilion and enjoying the amazing exhibits.

Warm and fulfilling interactions

During my first year in office, I met people from all fields and different backgrounds – politics, economics, culture, science, and education – and was moved by their hospitality, openness and flexibility toward different cultures. Beyond formal meetings, I visited many diwaniyas, allowing me to meet many individuals.

Through these numerous interactions, I am convinced that Japan and Kuwait still hold significant potential for developing further cooperation. In existing fields like energy and water, I believe we can deepen collaboration by leveraging the technologies managed by Japanese companies and we can expand the field of cooperation more and more. In 2026, I would like to continue enjoying the local culture while deepening interactions with people active in diverse fields, and to forge more concrete cooperation shoulder to shoulder with Kuwaiti people. Finally, I sincerely wish His Highness the Amir good health and well-being, and the State of Kuwait further progress and prosperity.

By H.E. MUKAI Kenichiro Ambassador of Japan