Japan-Marshall Relations

On May 5, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Hilda C. Heine, President of RMI.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina noted her visit to the RMI as her first visit to the Pacific Island country, and stated that following the Japan-Marshall Islands Summit Meeting held in Tokyo on March 2025, Japan would further strengthen the “kizuna” (bond of trust) with the RMI based on shared values and principles. In response, President Heine welcomed Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina’s visit to the RMI and stated that Japan and RMI have a deep bond of trust built on shred values, trust, and mutual respect, and RMI would also continue to strengthen cooperation with Japan.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina stated that Japan would actively promote the bilateral initiatives including the reconstruction of Amata Kabua International Airport Terminal, as well as the commitments Japan made at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10). In response, President Heine expressed her gratitude for Japan’s various assistance and cooperation in the area of climate change including Japan’s contribution announced in March 2025 to the Pacific Resilience Facility(PRF) of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
With regard to the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina stressed that the discharge has been safely conducted, and stated that Japan would continue to address the issue in a transparent manner based on scientific evidence and ensure safety. She also explained Japan’s efforts on the project to support monitoring capacity building for Pacific Island countries through the IAEA. President Heine welcomed Japan's transparent information sharing and expressed her expectation to Japan’s support for monitoring capacity building.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina mentioned that she visited and laid a wreath at “Monument of the War Dead in the Eastern Pacific” as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and thanked the Government of the RMI for its cooperation in the recovery of the remains of war dead. President Heine expressed her understanding of Japan’s efforts in the remains recovery project.
Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina mentioned the opening of EXPO2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and RMI’s National Day on September 4, and that Japan would welcome many participants coming from the RMI. President Heine paid her respect to Japan’s leadership hosting the EXPO2025. Both sides also exchanged views on regional issues, amidst the increasingly complex environment surrounding the region.

On May 5, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina held a meeting with Hon. Gerald M. Zackios, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Minister of Education, Sports and Training).
Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina mentioned that Japan and the RMI are precious friends with a deep historical “kizuna” and Japan would further strengthen the cooperative relationship with RMI based on shared common values and principles. Acting Minister Zackios welcomed Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina’S visit to RMI and stated that RMI would further advance the cordial relations with Japan.
Also, Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina mentioned that Japan would continue to stride forward together with Pacific Island countries, supporting efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and resilience including follow-up on the outcomes of PALM10, amidst the increasingly complex strategic environment in the region. She also stated that Japan would work together with the RMI through projects including the development of a water supply system which was decided in February 2025. In response, Acting Minister Zackios mentioned that Japan’s support was extremely important for the sustainable development of the RMI, and expressed his intention to continue working closely.
In addition, Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina welcomed the progress in maritime safety and security cooperation between the two countries, including the Japan Coast Guard's assistance for capacity building through dispatching the Mobile Corporation Team (MCT) as well as the Maritime Self-Defense Force's plan to conduct joint training through India-Pacific Deployment 2025 (IPD 25).
Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina mentioned that she met with youth from the RMI who had participated in the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) program during her visit, and both sides concurred that youth exchange is the foundation for mutual understanding and friendship, and exchange programs are essential to nurturing human resources who would become a bridge between Japan and the RMI in the future.
Finally, in light of the increasingly complex environment surrounding the region, both sides also exchanged views on regional situations.

On May 5, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina paid a courtesy call on Iroij Lanny Kabua, Chairman for the Council of Iroij of the RMI.
Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina stated that Japan and the RMI are precious friends with a deep historical “kizuna” and Japan would further strengthen the “kizuna” based on shared common values and principles. She also mentioned that based on the experience and knowledge in developing Japan’s remote islands, she would be committed to working together with the Pacific Islands Countries on the common challenges.
In response, Iroji Lanny Kabua expressed his gratitude for Japan’s longstanding cooperation with the RMI and stated his intention to further develop friendship with Japan while cherishing the historical connections between the two countries.

On May 5, 2025, Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina exchanged views with Hon. Brenson S. Wase a Speaker of the Parliament of the RMI and other parliamentary members who are Japanese descents including Hon. Gerald M. Zackios, Minister of Education, Sports and Training (Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Hon. Ota Kisino, Minister of Health and Human Services.
Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina stated that Japan would further strengthen its cooperation with the RMI, and expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the Japanese Marshallese parliamentary members including Speaker Hon. Wase who served as the first president of the Marshallese-Japanese Association to foster the friendship between Japan and the RMI. The parliamentary members expressed their appreciation for the cooperation provided by the Government and people of Japan, as well as their expectations for continued collaboration in the future.

On May 4, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina visited the “Monument of the War Dead in the Eastern Pacific” and laid a wreath at the cenotaph.

On May 4, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina met with the representatives of Japanese officials serving at the UN agencies and Japanese private companies in the RMI to exchange views on a range of topics, including challenges facing the RMI and possibilities for future cooperation.

On May 4, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina met with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) working in the RMI and exchanged views on way to further strengthening bilateral relations, along with receiving briefings on their activities in the country.

On May 4, 2025, Parliamentary Vice- Minister Ikuina met with youth from the RMI who had participated in the JENESYS program. She mentioned that exchange among the younger generation was a foundation for the friendship between Japan and the RMI, and expressed her hope that they would contribute to future bilateral relations by playing a bridging role between the two countries. The participants shared stories about their visits to Japan and their experiences after returning to the RMI, and discussed ways to further strengthen the relations between Japan and the RMI.

On May 4, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina visited the Majuro Bridge which spans the channel leading from the central area of Majuro Atoll to the open sea. The bridge was constructed with Japanese assistance in 1983.

On May 5, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister IKUNA visited the National Majuro Hospital to which Japan has provided its assistance, and inspected the cold chain warehouse and additional wards, including X-ray equipment and ambulances, accompanied by Hon. Mr. Ota Kisino, Minister of Health and Human Services, the deputy director of Majuro Hospital and JOCV.

On May 5, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina visited a waste treatment plant operated by the sole waste management agency in Majuro Atoll and was briefed on the increasingly serious waste problem in the RMI and countermeasures taken by the manager of the waste management agency and JOCV. The plant was provided with waste treatment machinery such as a waste metal compactor and plastic bottle compactors through Japan's Grant Aid.

On May 5, 2025, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina visited the construction site of a water reservoir in Majuro Atoll and received a briefing on the progress of the project by Japan’s Grant Aid and the expected improvements in water supply services upon its completion.