Oceania
The 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Welcome Reception Hosted by Chief Cabinet Secretary Mr. Hayashi and Dr. Hayashi
July 16, 2024
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On July 16, commencing at 7:00 p.m. for approximately 120 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary, and his spouse, Dr. HAYASHI Yuko held a welcome reception, inviting country and region leaders, their spouses, and other guests participating in the Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10).
- At the outset, Chief Cabinet Secretary Mr. Hayashi delivered welcome remarks, stating that Japan would like to work together with the Pacific Islands Region by building on their “kizuna” in finding solutions to urgent challenges, including climate change.
- Hon. Mark BROWN, Prime Minister of Cook Islands and co-chair of PALM10, delivered remarks on behalf of the participating leaders. He expressed appreciation to PALM process, which has consistently led the partnership between Japan and Pacific Island countries, as well as his expectations for the future of the PALM, and expressed the leaders’ intention to continue strengthening the partnership between the Pacific Island countries and regions and Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Mr. Hayashi and Dr. Hayashi then proposed a toast with sake from Ishikawa Prefecture.
- The reception featured performances of Gojinjo Taiko drumming, a traditional performing art of Wajima City, and breakdancing by elementary, junior high, and high school students from Ishikawa Prefecture. Food made with ingredients from various areas of Japan, including Ishikawa Prefecture, was served.
- In addition, there were introductions of JICA’s (Japan International Cooperation Agency) activities in Pacific Islands Region and Japanese people who have close ties with the Pacific Islands countries, including former JICA volunteers, service of foods from Fukushima Prefecture and the explanations about reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, introduction of the contents and preparations for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Green Expo 2027, and exhibition about mobile medical units also used in the Pacific Islands Region, exhibition about Maritime Domain Awareness by National Ocean Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, and interactions took place among participants.