In cooperation with the Kuwait Environmental Protection Society, members of the Japanese Society in Kuwait and other volunteers yesterday morning participated in an annual beach cleaning operation, entitled 'Operation Turtles' at Shuwaikh Beach Park.

More than 250 people took part in 'Operation Turtles', including members of the Japanese Society in Kuwait, Kuwaiti schoolchildren and members of many other groups, all coming together to pick up litter and debris scattered across the beach and the adjacent park.

We've been doing this since 2000," explained Yukihiro Nikaido, Charg� d'Affaires with the Japanese Embassy in Kuwait, "and I was pleasantly surprised that so many people from Japan and Kuwait participated today.

The senior diplomat continued, "Around 200 people participated from the Japanese Society in Kuwait, as well as from Kuwaiti schools, and a lot of associations share the event 'Operation Turtles' with us, to clean up the Shuwaikh Beach.
On the inspiration behind the event, Nikaido explained, "We created this event to let turtles return to the beach, and we are happy to see people who care about the environment taking part and at the same time talking and making friends through this type of event.

He concluded, " The aim of holding such a campaign is to raise awareness in Kuwait to keep Kuwait's beaches clean.

Kuwaiti participant Essa Al-Nouri, a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, said, "We are here for the annual event; we come along every year to clean up the beach with the Japanese Society of Kuwait, and it's a good feeling that we are doing this to keep our country beautiful. It is a good thing that we are strengthening our relation with the Japanese Society, while also at the same time keeping our country beautiful and clean. - Kuwait Times