2/25/2013
H.E. Mr. Al-Otaibi, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan Praised the Restoration Process of Sanriku Railway in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture

H.E. Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaibi, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Japan received Mr. Kimiaki Toda, Mayor of Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture and Mr. Masahiko Mochizuki, President of Sanriku Railway Company on February 25, 2013.

Mr. Toda and Mr. Mochizuki showed their utmost gratitude to the massive crude oil donation from the State of Kuwait delivered after the East Japan Great Earthquake occurred in March 11, 2011 and the tsunami washed away the coastal areas of the Northern Eastern Japan.

They delivered the latest reports to the Ambassador that three new train cars of Sanriku Railway, manufactured by the aid from the State of Kuwait, will start serving for the local people in the disaster-struck coastal area in Iwate prefecture in April. Each car costs about 150 million Japanese yen, worth about 1.63 million US dollars.

At a side of the new cars the messages showing gratitude to the support from Kuwait are written in Japanese, English and Arabic languages. At the head and the back of the car, the national emblem of the State of Kuwait is drawn.

Sanriku Railway South Rias Line in Iwate prefecture has been disconnected due to the damages by East Japan Great Earthquake. It will resume operation partially in April 2013 after 2 years. Ahead of the time, a new train car replacing the cars damaged by tsunami arrived at Ofunato City.

The new train cars will launch operation on the Sanriku Railway South Rias Line that connects Ofunato City and Kamaishi City in Iwate prefecture. Since the rails and railroad bridges were wrecked by the tsunami, the operation has been in recess all along the line for almost two years. Out of the line, about 22 kilometers between Sakari and Yoshihama stations in Ofunato City will resume operation in April 3, this year.

The Ambassador appreciated their sincere devotions to the restoration of the daily lives of local people in the disaster-struck region and wished for further progress of the reconstruction works.