Japan-Kuwait Relations
Japan-Kuwait Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
September 7, 2023
On September 7, commencing at around 1 p.m. (local time; September 7, 7 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Saudi Arabia to participate in meegings including the Japan- GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Sheikh Salem Abdullah AlJaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi congratulated Minister Salem on his reappointment and stated that the Japan and Kuwait are friends who have helped each other through historical difficulties such as the Gulf War and the Great East Japan Earthquake, and that he hopes to develop bilateral relations in a wide range of areas, including in the energy sector. In response, Minister Salem stated that the two countries have historically been friends and that he would like to further strengthen bilateral relations.
- The two ministers welcomed the recent agreement on the implementation of visa waiver measure for diplomatic and official passport holders of both countries. Regarding energy cooperation, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the stable supply of oil from Kuwait to Japan, and stated that he seeks to work together in the field of clean energy as well in order to achieve a realistic energy transition. Minister Salem also stated that Kuwait is committed to the stable supply of oil to Japan, and he would like to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. The two ministers concurred on the need to stimulate trade and investment between the two countries as well as the participation of Japanese companies in the infrastructure sector.
- Minister Hayashi explained Japan’s position on the recent discharge of ALPStreated water, referring to the IAEA’s assessment in its Comprehensive Report. Minister Salem stated that he is confident that Japan will comply with international standards.
- The two ministers also exchanged views on the regional and international situations and concurred to continue to work together.