Japan-Micronesia Relations
Japan-Micronesia Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On May 22, commencing at 5:24 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Peter Martin Christian, President of the Federated States of Micronesia who is visiting Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, to attend the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7). The outline of the meeting is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe welcomed the President Christian to Japan, and expressed congratulation on his recent appointment as President. Prime Minister Abe conveyed his gratitude for Micronesia’s cooperation upon the official visit to Palau by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Prime Minister Abe also expressed anew his gratitude for the support extended by Micronesia at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and stated that he would like to work together for the success of PALM7, this time being held in a disaster-affected area, and to build a new partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island countries. Additionally, Prime Minister Abe expressed his condolences to the damages caused by the recent typhoon and stating he would like to to work together with President Christian to further develop the cordial relations between the two nations, which have a long history of exchanges.
2. In response, President Christian stated that it was a great honor for Micronesia to attend the official visit by the Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Palau. President Christian also expressed his gratitude for the Japanese continuous support to Micronesia, referring to an episode on how the boats once provided though Japan’s ODA helped transport the local citizens at the time of the recent typhoon. President Christian expressed his contentment to visit Iwaki City currently under robust reconstruction after four years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
3. Prime Minister Abe conveyed the Government’s intention to provide total of 400 million yen funding to support the reconstruction of the typhoon affected areas and also for measures against climate change and disaster risk reduction, stating that Japan would continue to provide robust support for a sustainable development in Micronesia and that he hoped for Micronesia’s reconstruction as soon as possible.
4. Prime Minister Abe requested cooperation on Japan’s proposal to the United Nations regarding the World Tsunami Day, to which President Christian expressed his support. Both leaders also exchanged opinions on issues and cooperation in the international community, including climate change, fishery, and the UN Security Council reform.