KUWAIT: Japan and Kuwait will officially implement a mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports starting May 12, 2025, the Japanese embassy in Kuwait said in a press release on Saturday. Under this new agreement, Kuwaiti nationals holding valid diplomatic, or special passports issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait will be allowed to enter Japan without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 consecutive days. Similarly, Japanese holders of valid diplomatic and official passports will be able to enter Kuwait without a visa.

“This historic step reflects the deep mutual trust and longstanding friendship between our two nations, and lays a solid foundation for further political, economic, and cultural cooperation,” Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait Kenichiro Mukai said in a statement.

Deepening diplomatic relations

Japan and Kuwait have enjoyed a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship, dating back to 1958 when a Japanese oil company got oil drilling rights in Kuwait. “This visa exemption scheme will make it easier for government officials, international conference participants, and special passports holders to travel between our two countries, thus encouraging more dynamic exchanges and high-level dialogue,” said the ambassador.

“This is more than a procedural change — it is a symbol of our shared commitment to building a forward-looking, trust-based partnership.”

Visit Expo 2025 Osaka

The ambassador highlighted Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which Japan is hosting from April 13 to October 13, 2025, as a perfect opportunity to visit the country. “It is more than an exhibition; it is a platform for co-creating the future,” he said. He added that visitors can encounter a wide array of transformative ideas and cutting-edge solutions addressing challenges in sustainability, technology, healthcare, and mobility.

The ambassador said Japan is presenting technical proposals as investment opportunities, such as Room Temperature Hydrogen Production Device, CO2 Adsorption and Desorption Device, Room Temperature Synthetic Fuel Production Device. “These technologies are already at commercially practical level, and I believe that investing in these technologies will be able to assist Kuwait oil sector to achieve net-zero by 2060 as envisioned in the national plan,” he said. “The visa fee will be exempted for those who visit the EXPO. We sincerely invite Kuwaiti people, to visit Japan during this momentous event.”

Sharing a message of peace

As Japan and Kuwait look to further deepening their ties, the Japanese ambassador stressed the importance of learning from the past. He invited people in Kuwait to browse the second Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Poster Exhibition. “This exhibition showcases impactful posters that convey the devastating reality of the atomic bombings, reminding us of the importance of peace and the inhumanity of nuclear weapons,” the ambassador said.

The exhibition is now open at the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP Kuwait) from April 29 to May 25, 2025. Ambassador Mukai described the opening ceremony which was held on April 29 as “a big success”, especially with the attendance of Sachiko Hiraoka, an Atomic Bomb survivor’s family who visited Kuwait all the way from Hiroshima to deliver the testimony of her family. The ceremony was attended by many people in Kuwait, including ambassadors, artists, and students. “We encourage more people in Kuwait to visit the exhibition and reflect on Japan’s history and its deep commitment to peace. The exhibition welcomes everyone with free admission,” said the ambassador.

Scholarships and creative exchange

Education and Culture are essential elements to build the brilliant future between Kuwait and Japan, said Ambassador Mukai, pointing to two opportunities open for students and artists in Kuwait. For one, the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Scholarship Program for 2026 is currently open for applications until June 12, 2025. “Kuwaiti students wishing to pursue bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD in Japan are warmly encouraged to apply. This is a chance to receive a world-class education while building bridges between the two countries,” he said.

Submissions are also open for the 18th Japan International MANGA Award, with a deadline of June 20, 2025. This globally recognized award welcomes artists from around the world. “We hope to see many talented Kuwaiti creators participate and share their stories through the powerful medium of manga,” said Ambassador Mukai.

The introduction of mutual visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders marks a new chapter in Japan-Kuwait relations. It opens doors — not only for official visits — but also for people-to-people connections, cultural exchange, and shared discovery. “We look forward to welcoming more Kuwaiti friends to Japan, and to continuing our journey together as partners in friendship, peace, and progress. Welcome to Japan! Welcome to the future!” said the ambassador.

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Sabah affirmed that the launch of the ministry of defense’s strategic plan (2025–2030) reflects the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He described the plan as a cornerstone and pivotal turning point in enhancing the ministry’s performance and capabilities.

This statement came during a press conference held Thursday at the multipurpose building in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Military Camp, where the ministry of defense officially unveiled its new strategy. The event was attended by Undersecretary of the Ministry Sheikh Dr Abdullah Meshal Al-Sabah and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lt Gen Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that full support from the country’s leadership strengthens the military institution’s ability to keep pace with future developments and challenges, thereby reinforcing Kuwait’s security and stability.

Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Abdullah, who also chairs the strategic plan preparation team, presented a comprehensive overview of the plan, outlining its main pillars, phased objectives and implementation mechanisms. He explained that the strategy serves as a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the accelerating challenges in regional and international defense and security environments. It aims to institutionalize sustainable military and administrative performance and build an advanced defense system based on clear scientific and methodological foundations.

Sheikh Dr Abdullah noted that the strategic vision centers on enhancing the defensive capabilities of the Kuwaiti army to safeguard the nation’s security and territorial integrity. The strategic mission, he added, stems from the ministry’s commitment to preserving Kuwait’s sovereignty, protecting its national interests and deterring any aggression — thus reinforcing public safety, national pride and belonging through the development of an integrated defense system encompassing resources, human capital and technical infrastructure.

The plan also outlines several strategic goals aimed at transforming this vision into tangible outcomes. These include strengthening the ministry’s regional and international presence through institutional partnerships and military cooperation, creating alternative income sources through investment arms beyond oil dependence and embedding transparency, governance and fiscal efficiency.

The undersecretary highlighted that the strategy places strong emphasis on comprehensive digital transformation, prioritizes cybersecurity and focuses on optimizing the ministry’s organizational structure and resources. It also includes major investment in human capital through training and education, as well as advanced construction projects aligned with modern defense infrastructure needs. He stressed that the plan is built on a set of core institutional values — responsibility, excellence, integrity, transparency, teamwork and collaboration with relevant local and international entities to serve national interests.

The plan follows a structured methodology consisting of sequential stages — foundation, implementation and evaluation — with clearly defined performance indicators and regular follow-ups to ensure progress, efficiency and a culture of accountability within the ministry. Sheikh Dr Abdullah described the strategy as a qualitative leap, developed through thorough study and scientific analysis to meet future challenges. He added that the plan was based on global best practices, aligned with national priorities and designed to achieve integration and effectiveness across security, defense and development levels. – KUNA

By Dena Al-Fadhli

KUWAIT: In a generation where students wake up to 30 unread text messages, endless 20-second TikTok videos, and a constant stream of Instagram stories, it has become increasingly challenging for educators to keep pace with their shifting cognitive habits. Although educators are working hard to meet students where they are, many of the strategies being used may not truly foster the deep, critical thinking skills they hope they will develop for the future.

Maha Saleh, a former high school history teacher at a public school in Kuwait, expresses deep concern over what she describes as a troubling decline in student engagement.

“The level of apathy I’ve seen in recent years is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Students don’t seem to care about their grades or school at all,” she said. “When I’m teaching, it often feels like they’re physically present—but mentally, they’re somewhere else entirely because they are just waiting for that next hit of dopamine.”

This “hit of dopamine” is more than a figure of speech. “Digital dopamine” is a term that emerged in the mid-2010s as researchers and wellness experts began exploring the link between digital technology use and brain chemistry. Many apps and platforms are intentionally designed to trigger dopamine releases through unpredictable reward patterns, reinforcing compulsive scrolling and screen time.

Educators and schools are now grappling with how to provide meaningful learning experiences despite these challenges.

One school in Kuwait enforced a school-wide phone ban as a solution. Rania Khudairi, a middle school English teacher with over a decade of experience in Kuwait’s private education sector, shared the outcomes with Kuwait Times. While Khudairi and her team anticipated some resistance, they were blindsided by just how deeply the ban disrupted students.

“We observed students reacting like addicts going through withdrawal,” Khudairi explains. “It was nearly impossible to engage or teach a child who was preoccupied—mentally checking out because they were craving that next TikTok video or waiting for a message from a friend.”

This classroom response, Khudairi suggests, is more than just behavioral—it reflects underlying changes in brain chemistry. Dr Haitham Al-Khayat, a neurosurgeon in Kuwait with over twenty years of experience, explains the neurological impact of prolonged social media and smartphone use among young people:

“They stimulate the part of the brain responsible for short-term gratification, known as the dopaminergic mesolimbic system. Repeated stimulation of this system triggers changes in the brain similar to those observed in individuals struggling with substance addiction.”

Dr Al-Khayat urges educators and individuals to take proactive steps in addressing this ‘dopamine addiction’ by fostering a healthier balance rather than enforcing total deprivation. A common approach teachers are adopting is integrating learning strategies that reflect students’ digital habits, in hopes of enhancing engagement.

One example comes from Danna Alenezi, a public-school chemistry teacher who has adapted her teaching methods to better engage students. She explains that even during a 40-minute class, maintaining students’ attention throughout is nearly impossible. To address this, she delivers her lessons in “short, packaged units” and incorporates brief videos between key points to sustain focus—mirroring the fast-paced, bite-sized content students are accustomed to consuming online.

Yet, what they’re noticing is that this approach may be jeopardizing learning in other ways—potentially worsening students’ already shortened attention spans. Khudairi reflects on how this trade-off plays out in the classroom: “While some students appreciate deeper exploration of concepts, I can’t really give that to them since it often comes at the cost of losing the attention of the majority.”

As educators adjust their methods to accommodate these brief, stimulus-driven lessons, they are also witnessing unexpected shifts in teacher-student dynamics.

Alenezi vividly recalls one such moment: a student raised her hand to ask a question, and as Alenezi paused—eye contact locked—the pupil abruptly turned to a friend and began chatting about something entirely unrelated. “I’ll never forget it,” Alenezi reflects, “because it laid bare exactly how much digital habits can interrupt even our most basic, face-to-face exchanges.”

These classroom observations often point to deeper cognitive shifts. Dr Al-Khayat explains that many teachers are now reporting signs of impaired executive function in their students. In his neurosurgical practice, he notes increasingly impulsive behavior among younger patients. Deprived of the ability to pause and engage in longer-term reasoning, they frequently make hasty decisions—and then find themselves caught in a repetitive cycle of “oh, I apologize.”

Alenezi admits that while she doesn’t really know what the solution is, she believes that recognizing the problem is the first step. “If educators and administrators work together to acknowledge the problem rather than fighting it, we might have a chance to revive the state of education.”