Japan-Marshall Relations

On February 11, commencing at 4:05 p.m. local time (13:05 p.m. February 11 JST) for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Suva, the Republic of Fiji, to attend the PALM 5th Ministerial Interim Meeting, held a meeting with Hon. Kalani R. KANEKO, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa congratulated Minister Kaneko for his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and expressed her willingness to enhance relationship with Marshall Islands, a longstanding friend connected by the Pacific Ocean and with whom Japan shares the fundamental values and principles. She also expressed her sympathy for damages caused by the drought and high waves in Marshall Islands. In response, Minister Kaneko, expressed his intention to further deepen the friendly relationship with Japan bound with special ties in addition to his gratitude for sending Mr. TANAKA Kazunori, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to attend the inauguration ceremony for H.E. Dr. Hilda C. Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Minister Kamikawa explained that as the world faces a historic turning point, it is critical to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law and ensure the world where the human dignity is protected. Minister Kamikawa also stated that taking into account the situational changes in the Pacific region, it is important to strengthen the relations with Pacific Islands countries by meeting the needs of each country. In response, Minister Kaneko expressed his gratitude for the Government and people of Japan for Japan’s support to the Marshall Islands for many years.

Regarding the discharge of the ALPS treated water into the sea, Minister Kamikawa, referring to her visit to Fukushima last December where she confirmed the safety of discharge by herself, explained that the safety is clearly identified through a series of monitoring which were undertaken with the continuous involvement of IAEA.

The two ministers concurred to work even more closely toward the PALM 10 to be held this year.

Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude for President Heine and Minister Kaneko’s sympathy for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and presented a box foiled with Kanazawa gold leaf in the hope of the recovery of the affected areas.