Japan-Fiji Relations
Japan-Fiji Summit Meeting and Dinner
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On May 19, commencing at 6:32 p.m. for approximately one hour, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with Rear Admiral (Retired) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, who is visiting Japan to attend the Seventh Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 7). Following the summit meeting, commencing at 7:45 p.m. for approximately one hour, Prime Minister Abe held a dinner with Prime Minister Bainimarama. The overview is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe welcomed the visit of Prime Minister Bainimarama to Japan, the first visit in 10 years as a Fijian Prime Minister. Prime Minister Abe stated that he hopes Prime Minister Bainimarama’s visit will be an opportunity to deepen the cooperative relations between the two countries, and expressed his expectations on Fiji’s role in the regional and international community as a major nation in the Pacific Islands region.
2. In response, Prime Minister Bainimarama expressed his gratitude for Japan’s significant contribution to the economic and social development of Fiji, and stated that he would like to further advance the cordial relations between the two countries through his visit to Japan.
3. Prime Minister Abe also conveyed Japan’s intention to provide financial assistance of approximately 900 million yen in order to rehabilitate the radio broadcasting system in Fiji, which will contribute to its disaster risk reduction, and explained that Japan will support Fiji’s own efforts of nation building. Prime Minister Bainimarama expressed his gratitude in response, expressing his determination to take the best advantage of Japan’s assistance for further development of Fiji.
4. The two leaders confirmed that they would work together for the success of the PALM 7 being held in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture on May 22 and 23. They also exchanged views on promoting trade and investment, bilateral cooperation including people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation on challenges in the international community such as disaster risk reduction and climate change.