‘Kuwait Crown Prince’s visit to Japan will open new horizons in relations’

11/06/2025

His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, successfully concluded his first official visit to Japan from May 28 to 31, 2025.

The visit had special meanings for both countries. Firstly, this was the first high level visit to Japan by the Kuwaiti leadership in 9 years, since the visit by Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, late Prime Minister in 2016. Secondly, during the visit, both countries agreed on upgrading the bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and five memoranda on bilateral cooperation were signed. Thus, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled has taken Japan-Kuwait relations to another level with this visit. Third, His Highness Sheikh Sabah met with His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito and His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino, respectively, and deepened the longstanding friendship between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Kuwaiti Ruling Family.

As Ambassador, I attended the summit meeting, followed by working lunch, between Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and His Highness Sheikh Sabah accompanied by high-ranking officials including His Excellency Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was very fruitful, in a friendly atmosphere, discussing bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly in the fields of clean energy and decarbonization, in addition to electricity and desalination, as well as cooperation in regional and international affairs.

Signing of Five Memoranda

During the visit, the following five memoranda were signed:

Memorandum of Cooperation on Training of Diplomats between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, aiming to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation through diplomatic training, and it will further strengthen the bond between the two ministries.
Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy of the State of Kuwait, promoting comprehensive cooperation in the field of electricity, water, and renewable energy.
Memorandum of Cooperation on Direct Investment between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), facilitating the further expansion of investment by Japanese companies in Kuwait.
Memorandum of Cooperation on International Cooperation between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kuwait Arab Fund for Economic Development (KFAED), strengthening cooperation in aid activities for developing countries.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute on Training of Diplomats, reinforcing cooperation in the field of training.

Visit to Expo 2025 Osaka

His Highness the Crown Prince visited Expo 2025 Osaka, touring pavilions including those of host country Japan, Kuwait, and the GCC countries. His Highness was received with an enthusiastic welcome from Japanese and Kuwaiti people, and tourists who happened to be there. I had known that the Kuwait Pavilion was very popular, but I was impressed to see so many people standing in line, waiting for their turn to enter the pavilion. His Highness’s visit seemed to further increase the popularity of the Kuwait Pavilion.

Towards Future-Oriented Cooperation

Japan-Kuwait relations, rooted in oil cooperation since 1958, recognition of Kuwait’s independence in 1961, Japan’s support during the 1990 Gulf War, and Kuwait’s warm assistance following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, have always been supported by trust and friendship. Going forward, both countries will continue to advance multifaceted and sustainable cooperation in various sectors including politics, economics, and culture, founded on shared values and mutual interests. I am firmly convinced that this visit by His Highness the Crown Prince will serve as a new horizon for our two countries, leading to further development of Japan-Kuwait relations.

By Mukai Kenichiro

Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait