LOC11:07
08:07 GMT
By Miyoko Ishigami (with photos)
TOKYO, March 30 (KUNA) -- Officials from the tsunami-hit aquarium Fukushima
Prefecture, northeastern Japan, expressed on Friday gratitude to H.H. the Amir
of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his grant to restore the
facilities.
The officials made remarks during their meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador to
Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, about a week after H.H. the Amir announced the
decision here to give USD 3 million to rebuild heavily-damaged marine life
museum called "Aquamarine Fukushima."
"We thank His Highness and the Kuwaiti people for this generous donation,"
Aquamarine Fukushima Director Yoshitaka Abe said. Koji Takano, Deputy Director
of Department of Culture and Sports at Fukushima prefectural government, also
said, "We will organize a handover ceremony of the Kuwaiti grant next month
and build a monument to mark the Kuwaiti contribution, which will become a
symbol of hope for reconstruction."
The aquarium was heavily damaged by a magnitude 9.0-quake and ensuring
tsunami on March 11th last year that left more than 19,000 people dead or
missing in the northeastern region. In addition, during his successful visit
to Tokyo from March 20-23, H.H. the Amir also offered USD 2 million to help
reconstruction efforts of Fukushima, home to the crippled Fukushima Daiichi
nuclear power plant.
For his part, Ambassador Al-Otaibi stressed readiness of H.H. the Amir,
government and people of Kuwait to support Japan and its people at this
difficult stage, and to assist Japan's reconstruction process, noting that the
aquarium has a special and direct relationship with the Kuwait Institute for
Scientific Research over the years. Recalling Fukushima's breathtaking beauty
before the disasters when he planted a cherry tree, Al-Otaibi expressed hope
that the region will recover and return better than before.
The meeting was also attended by First Secretary at the Embassy Mohammed
Al-Mutairi, Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) Managing
Director Yoshitaka Nakamura and other officials. (end)
mk.gta
KUNA 301107 Mar 12NNNN