(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA))
By Miyoko Ishigami
TOKYO, March 3 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Hasan Zaman has participated in a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the re-launch of Japan's disaster-hit Sanriku Railway, which was damaged by a magnitude 9.0-quake and ensuing tsunami in March 2011, the Embassy said Wednesday.
During the ceremony that took place on Monday, a number of train drivers wore traditional Kuwaiti uniforms, while the event featured performances by many school children in Iwate, according to a press release from the Embassy.
The railway, located in Iwate Prefecture about 450 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, had resumed its operations with using a fund generated from Kuwait's donation of five million barrels of crude oil, which was provided 10 years ago upon directives of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The donation, equivalent to some USD 500 million, was distributed to three affected northeastern prefectures of Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi, which suffered as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake that left nearly 19,000 people dead or missing and an enormous number of houses, buildings, cars and ships destroyed.
In his speech at the ceremony, Sanriku Railway Company President Ichiro Nakamura reiterated Japan's gratitude and appreciation to the Kuwaiti leadership, government and people for the generous support it provided.
On his part, Zaman stressed that Kuwait's support to the friendly Japanese people is just an expression of the true friendship that brings together the two friendly peoples, and in recognition of the honorable positions of Japan and its people to support the Kuwaiti during the ordeal of the brutal Iraqi invasion.
"The determination of the Japanese people and the solidity of their strength were the main motivation behind the reconstruction efforts achieved since the disaster," the Ambassador said in the speech, expressing the honor of the Kuwaitis for their contribution along with their Japanese friends to this great historic achievement.
As the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year, Zaman also reiterated Kuwait's commitment to continue to stand with the friendly Japanese people and work hard to strengthen their friendship, while wishing Japan and its friendly people a lasting prosperity, success and progress.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Ambassador held an official meeting with Iwate Governor Takuya Tasso at the prefectural office, during which Tasso underlined the strong ties of friendship between the two friendly countries and his keenness to strengthen and deepen them, again expressing thanks to Kuwait for the generous support.
Iwate's allocation of the donation, about JPY 8.4 billion (USD 80 million) was used in rebuilding damaged houses and Sanriku Railway stations as well as purchasing eight new train cars. Zaman expressed his great admiration for the determination of the friendly Japanese people and their great efforts to overcome the effects of the enormous disaster and rebuild what was destroyed, stressing that the friendship between Kuwait and Japan is historic and solid, and that all Kuwaiti officials are determined to strengthen it and raise it to a wider horizon.
The visit of the Ambassador to Iwate was highly publicized by the most prominent Japanese media, which noted the bilateral friendship between the two countries, and the great appreciation for the Kuwaiti people, according the Embassy. (end)
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