Kuwait, Japan working closely for Middle East stability

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 29: On August 26, H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, paid an official visit to Japan. Japan- Kuwait bilateral relations have continued to be maintained and strengthened through high-level reciprocal visits; H.H. the Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al- Hamad Al-Sabah’s visit to Japan in May 2025, followed by the visit of Japan’s then Foreign Minister, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, to Kuwait in September 2025. It is worth mentioning that this is the first solo visit by a Kuwaiti foreign minister to Japan since 2010. Furthermore, as the regional situation remains tense,the visit of H.E. Sheikh Jarrah at such a juncture is meaningful for both countries, and we would like to express our respect and gratitude to H.E. Sheikh Jarrah for his decision to visit Japan. H.E. Sheikh Jarrah paid a courtesy call on Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, carrying a personal letter from H.H. Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Japan’s Prime Minister rarely meets with a foreign minister alone.

Thus, the warm welcome extended by the Prime Minister to Sheikh Jarrah shows that Japan attaches importance to Kuwait as a partner that shares the fundamental values of the rule of law, respect for international law, and the resolution of issues through dialogue in the international community, and that contributes together to the resolution of international and regional challenges. Prime Minister Takaichi, while conveying to Sheikh Jarrah her determination to continue to work closely with Kuwait for peace and stability in the Middle East, stated that Japan wishes to play an active role in enhancing the resilience of the GCC countries through reconstruction and economic growth.

Frequent
The closeness of the two countries is already seen in the frequent contacts between Mr. Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Sheikh Jarrah over a short period (telephone calls in April and June, and a meeting in Ankara in July). During the latest bilateral meeting in Japan, Minister Motegi expressed his respect for Kuwait’s efforts to maintain a secure and stable energy supplies to the global market under challenging regional circumstances and expressed - in particular - his gratitude for the long-standing stable supply of crude oil from Kuwait to Japan. Asian countries are greatly affected by the current regional situation as well.

Therefore, Japan launched “POWERR Asia” as a framework to reinforce energy security and finance emergency crude oil procurement across Asia. This also contributes to expanding supply hubs and overseas stockpiles of the Gulf oil-producing countries in the Asian region, and cooperation with Kuwait is indispensable. In addition, Japan is promoting Updated FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific) which aims to enhance the autonomy and resilience of countries while maintaining a rules-based maritime order, ensure freedom of navigation and support economic prosperity in vital sea lanes.

For Japan, there is no doubt that Kuwait is an important country in terms of securing a stable supply of energy. However, the relationship today is not limited to that alone. Under the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” we have built a wide-ranging relationship that extends not only to the economy but also to education, culture, and sports. It is noteworthy that on August 24, 2026, the Japanese Embassy held a send-off ceremony at my residence for Kuwaiti athletes participating in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games & Asian Para Games, with the attendance of H.E. Dr. Tareq Al-Jalahma, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, H.E. Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait Olympic Committee, and H.E. Mr. Mansour Al-Sarhid, President of Kuwait Paralympic Committee. The outcome of Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah’s visit to Japan will further support such exchanges, and it is also my responsibility to solidify them here in Kuwait.

By H.E. Mukai Kenichiro
Japan Ambassador to Kuwait