Palau welcomes Japan's minister Takuma Miyaji for bilateral meetings
Regional relationships have taken on a new importance, given geopolitical tensions in the Asia Pacific.Miyaji
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takuma Miyaji begins a visit to Palau today, April 8 and will stay in the republic until April 10.
“During his visit, Mr. Miyaji will attend a ceremony to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress’ visit to Peleliu. He will also have discussion on how to strengthen the bilateral relations with leaders of the Government of Palau,” an April 7 release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan said.
The visit comes shortly after the signing of an agreement which will have positive long-term economic ramifications for Palau.
On April 4, Tsunenori Aoki, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Palau Office; and Steven Victor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment for Palau; signed a Record of Discussion on fisheries development.
The signing will form the basis for the planning process of the “Project for Formulating a Master Plan for Fisheries Industry Development” which will commence this summer, according to JICA. The Embassy of Japan said the master plan “will include an analysis of the economic and environmental feasibility of developing a new fishing port, as well as capacity building for MAFE to implement such a development plan. According to MAFE, the mid-term report including consideration of the fishing port development plan will be submitted by July 2026.”
President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and Ambassador of Japan to Palau Hiroyuki Orikasa witnessed the signing ceremony. JICA is the Japanese government's agency responsible for implementing development assistance to support the socioeconomic development and stability of developing countries. It maintains offices in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands as well as Palau, according to Journal files.
(From left rear) President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and Ambassador of Japan to Palau Hiroyuki Orikasa and (from left front) Steven Victor, Palau minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment and Tsunenori Aoki, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Palau Office. Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan in Palau
In the Marshall Islands, the development of the tuna industry in the past 11 years has led to its position as the world’s busiest tuna transshipment port. According to Journal files, hundreds of thousands of tons of tuna move through Majuro annually from fishing vessels bound for canneries.
The industry in the Marshalls now offers economic growth, job creation, and the sustainable development of its fishing industry. mbj
