The 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7) Spouse Program

23 May 2015, Mrs. Akie Abe hosted in Iwaki-city, Fukushima prefecture, the Leaders' Spouse Program for the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7).

Participants:

Mrs. Debbie M. REMENGESAU, spouse of President of the Republic of Palau
Mrs. Lieom A. LOEAK, spouse of President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Mrs. Louisa Coralie WAQA, spouse of President of the Republic of Nauru
Mrs. Maria Makitalena BAINIMARAMA, spouse of Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji
Mrs. Emeline Fifitaloa TALAGI, spouse of Premier of Niue
Mrs. Akaiti PUNA, spouse of Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
Mrs. Salilo Enele SOPOAGA, spouse of Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Mrs. Keresi K. NATUMAN, spouse of Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu

Program:

1. Shoko Kanazawa Art Museum

Mrs. Abe visited with leaders' spouses the Shoko Kanazawa Art Museum. On their way to the Museum, they received a warm welcome from the local people holding national flags of Pacific island countries in their hands. Mrs. Abe as well as leaders' spouses admired together traditional Japanese culture such as exhibition of kimono and calligraphy experience.

(note) Ms. Shoko Kanazawa is a Japanese calligrapher. The museum was built in Iwaki-city in 2013 hoping for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

2. Exchange program with children

Mrs. Abe and leaders' spouses visited Fujiwara elementary school where they met with students who have participated in activities for promotion of the Summit. Mrs. Abe and leaders’ spouses participated in Organic cotton planting workshop and deepened friendship with children who increased their interest in Pacific island countries.

3. Luncheon hosted by Mrs. Abe

Mrs. Abe hosted a luncheon for leaders' spouses for welcoming their visit in Japan. On this occasion Mrs. Abe renewed her gratitude for the support that was offered by Pacific islands countries upon the Great East Japan Earthquake and wished that the friendly relationship would be further deepened between Pacific island countries and Japan.

At the luncheon, Mrs. Abe and leaders' spouses had cozy discussion on various themes including society, education and closeness of their culture and enjoyed the food made of Fukushima products.

Oceania