LOC10:48
07:48 GMT
TOKYO, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- The Japanese government welcomed Tuesday a state
visit to Japan by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah next month.
The Foreign Ministry announced that HH the Amir will make a four-day visit
to Japan from March 20 to meet Emperor Akihito, who will host a state banquet
in honor of HH.
HH the Amir is also scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko
Noda, according to the ministry. "The Japanese government sincerely welcomes
the visit of HH the Amir, which will further strengthen the friendly
relationship between Japan and Kuwait," the ministry said in a statement.
It will mark the first visit to Japan by a Kuwaiti ruler to Japan since
1995. HH the Amir last visited here in July 2007 as Prime Minister and made
five visits as Foreign Minister in April 1964, followed by the ones in October
1968, October 1971, May 1984 and October 1998.
Kuwait-Japan relations are considered a model in international relations in
terms of being firm-rooted and based on mutual understanding and joint
interests, where seeking peace constituted a base for development in relations
in all aspects.
Following a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in March last year that
left nearly 20,000 people dead or missing in the northeastern region, Kuwait
contributed five million barrels of crude oil to Japan upon directives of HH
the Amir. The donation, equivalent to some USD 500 million, was the largest
contribution by any country to Japan in the wake of the March disasters. (end)
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KUNA 281048 Feb 12NNNN