By Miyoko Ishigami
IWAKI, Japan, July 15 (KUNA) -- Governor of Fukushima Prefecture Yuhei Sato renewed gratitude to Kuwait for the donation of 5 million barrels of crude oil worth USD 500 million extended last year, of which value was distributed to the areas severely affected by a major earthquake and tsunami.
"The Japanese people will never forget honorable positions by Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people," Governor Sato said during his meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi in the northern coastal city of Iwaki.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of a hand-over ceremony for a USD 3 million fresh donation from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to a tsunami-hit marine science museum in Fukushima to help its restoration work.
Governor Sato reviewed Kuwaiti-Japanese relations and the latest developments in Fukushima, especially in the fight against nuclear contamination after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant that was caused by last year March's earthquake and tsunami. "Efforts are still going on to revitalize Fukushima after the disaster had a negative impact on the prefecture's economy," he said.
The governor presented a certificate of appreciation to the ambassador in recognition of his role in the work during the earthquake, his visit to the affected areas in time as well as the visit by his wife last month to schools in Fukushima to give help in the form of textbooks and school supplies. In return, Al-Otaibi gave a memorial gift to the governor and extended an invitation to visit Kuwait at the time it deems appropriate. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Director General Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi, Aquamarine Fukushima Executive Director Yoshitaka Abe and a number of Fukushima prefectural officials also attended the meeting.
A magnitude 9.0-quake and ensuring tsunami on March 11 last year left nearly 19,000 people dead or missing in the region. (end) mk.asa KUNA 150951 Jul 12NNNN