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

KUWAIT: Human activities along Kuwait’s shores are key contributors to the red tide and fish deaths observed recently, alongside natural factors like rising water temperatures, the Environment Public Authority (EPA) said Friday. Following the circulation of images and videos on social media, EPA teams immediately visited the affected areas — including the shores of Ashairij, Doha, and Shuwaikh — to investigate.

Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, Director of Public Relations and Media at the EPA, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that field teams conducted comprehensive environmental surveys, taking field measurements and collecting water samples for laboratory analysis. Preliminary results identified the bloom of a specific type of phytoplankton as the immediate cause. This bloom depletes dissolved oxygen in the water and alters its color, leading to fish suffocation — a phenomenon that becomes more frequent at the start of summer due to the Arabian Gulf’s rising surface temperatures.

Scientists from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research have previously warned that red tide outbreaks are part of a larger pattern. In a research paper published in 2025, they note that the Arabian Gulf is one of the most heavily impacted marine environments in the world, suffering from pollution caused by rapid urban development, industrial expansion, desalination plants, and busy oil shipping routes. These pressures have made the Gulf’s coastal waters especially vulnerable to harmful algal blooms (HABs), which have grown more frequent and severe in recent decades.

Al-Ibrahim pointed out that the discoloration of coastal waters, particularly near stormwater outlets, is closely linked to human activities. She added that human activities along the shore degrade water quality, creating conditions that directly or indirectly fuel red tide outbreaks and marine die-offs. She urged citizens, residents, fishermen, and sea-goers to report any sightings of fish deaths along Kuwait’s coastlines or territorial waters to the EPA for immediate action. Al-Ibrahim stressed that the EPA will intensify its field surveys over the coming days, especially around Kuwait Bay, to monitor environmental conditions and safeguard marine life. She emphasized the need for community cooperation in preserving the health of Kuwait’s marine ecosystems. — Agencies

Could dust storms be fueling red tide?

By Nebal Snan

A recent study has found that rising temperatures and dust storms are combining to trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Arabian Gulf — posing serious threats to marine life in Kuwait. Researchers from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research focused on Chattonella marina, a toxic phytoflagellate (a type of microscopic algae), which was linked to a major fish kill in 2021. Their findings point to potentially one of the main drivers behind the outbreak: A severe dust storm two months before the bloom, which delivered large amounts of nutrients into coastal waters.

The Arabian Gulf is already considered one of the most environmentally stressed seas in the world, pressured by rapid urbanization, industrial development, desalination, and heavy oil shipping traffic. These combined impacts have made the region’s waters increasingly vulnerable to HABs, which are becoming more frequent and intense.

The study also highlights that dust storms may play a far larger role in fueling algal blooms than previously understood. Northern Gulf waters, including those around Kuwait, experience about five times more dust storms than southern areas. These storms deposit mineral nutrients into the sea, stimulating algae growth combined with climate stressors like rising sea temperatures, which lead to lower oxygen levels in the water, thereby suffocating the fish. For instance, researchers observed that after a major dust storm, certain phytoplankton populations surged and remained elevated for up to two weeks.

Scientists warn that dust storms, which are common in the region, may have long-term effects on marine life by fueling these harmful algae outbreaks. Understanding how human activities and natural events interact is crucial for protecting the Gulf’s fragile coastal ecosystems and sustaining its marine life.