Kuwait will donate 5 million barrels of crude oil, worth 45 billion yen ($548.3 million), to support Japan's rebuilding effort in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it was announced April 27.
Kuwait will donate 5 million barrels of crude oil, worth 45 billion yen ($548.3 million), to support Japan's rebuilding effort in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it was announced April 27.
Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi delivered a personal message from the minister of oil to Banri Kaieda, minister of economy, trade and industry.
Five million barrels of oil is equal to two days of production in Kuwait. Japan imports four million barrels a day.
The aid is meant, in part, to acknowledge financial aid Japan provided during the 1991 Gulf War.
Al-Otaibi said that Kuwait has not forgotten Japan's support 20 years ago and that it will not forget in years to come.
Even though Japan contributed 13 billion dollars to the United States-led multinational coalition, Japan was criticized by some for providing only money, not personnel to the war effort.
In an advertisement published in a U.S. newspaper, the Kuwaiti government thanked 30 countries for support during the war, but did not include Japan.
China donated gasoline and diesel fuel to Japan after the disaster, but its contribution was dwarfed by Kuwait's gift.