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Defense cooperation with Japan solid -- Sheikh Jaber

Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Speaking to KUNA -Tokyo
Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Speaking to KUNA -Tokyo
By Miyoko Ishigami (With Photo) TOKYO, Nov 5 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said on Thursday that the Kuwait-Japan defense cooperation is solid based on mutual understanding and moral principle.
Speaking to KUNA in Tokyo, Sheikh Jaber also showed his intention to further elevate bilateral ties in a wide range of fields from a strategic perspective.
In his talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the Imperial Palace, Sheikh Jaber conveyed the message from His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah that extends an invitation to the Japanese premier to visit Kuwait. Hatoyama said he would make the appropriate arrangements for the trip.
"If the Japanese Prime Minister comes to Kuwait, I believe the two nations will discuss various important issues as a way to deepen bilateral relations," he said.
During nearly five years until December 2008, the Kuwaiti leadership and people actively offered logistic support and hospitality to the Japanese air force, which was based in Kuwait to carry out its humanitarian mission in Iraq.
Japan's air force executed more than 800 separate airlifts to Iraq without a single accident.
Earlier in the day, Japanese Emperor Akihito bestowed Imperial Decoration of "Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun" on Sheikh Jaber in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in the presence of Hatoyama.
He was cited for his significant contribution to promoting political, diplomatic, and environmental exchange and mutual understanding between Kuwait and Japan.
The Imperial Order is awarded twice a year, and Sheikh Jaber is the only Arab who receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan's highest-ranked decoration conferred on foreigners, in this fall's commemoration.
Established in 1875, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun is Japan's oldest award and bestowed by the Emperor to outstanding individuals who have made enormous contributions to promoting ties with Japan.
The Japanese monarchy is the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy still in existence, which can be traced back some 1,600 years.
Sheikh Jaber arrived here Wednesday for his first official visit since November 2004.(end) mk.wsa KUNA 051150 Nov 09NNNN