Oceania
The 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Banquet Hosted by Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida
July 17, 2024
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On July 17, commencing at 7:30 p.m. for approximately 90 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, and his spouse, Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, hosted a banquet at the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace for the Pacific Islands Region leaders, their Spouses, and other guests who were visiting Japan to attend the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10). The overview is as follows.
- The banquet was attended by Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida, the Pacific Islands Region leaders and their Spouses, the Secretary General of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat, ambassadors to Japan, and others.
- At the outset of the banquet, Prime Minister Kishida proposed a toast. In his remarks, Prime Minister Kishida stated the efforts made by Japan and the Pacific Islands Region over the past 27 years to realize a resilient and stable region since the establishment of PALM in 1997. He expressed his determination to elevate the relationship between Japan and the region to even greater heights and work together for the future on the occasion of the commemorative PALM10, which is held amidst an increasingly complex environment surrounding the region.
- At the banquet, a variety of food featuring an abundance of seasonal ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture, including Noto beef, seafood, vegetables, and condiments was served, to support the reconstruction of the areas affected by the earthquake in the Noto region. In addition, the charm of Japanese awa-sake was presented in the waiting room of the leaders and their Spouses.
- In the latter half of the banquet, aiming to extend a warm welcome and foster a friendly atmosphere for the leaders meeting on the next day, PALM10’s participating leaders and their Spouses experienced a traditional Japanese summer festival, which embodies the spirit of interpersonal interactions. Furthermore, there was a demonstration of wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) making by confectioners from Ishikawa Prefecture.
- The “summer festival” also invited Japanese people who have ties to Pacific Island countries, including former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Together with the leaders, their Spouses, and others, they enjoyed the festival, making it an opportunity to reaffirm the “kizuna” between Japan and the Pacific Islands Region.
(Reference1) Dinner Menu
- Appetizer
- Boiled “Hanabira” Mushroom with Beans and Konnyaku
- “Nameko” Mushroom and Garlic Chives from Ishikawa Prefecture
- White Sesame Tofu with Thick Soy Sauce
- Deep Fried Pike Conger with Curry Powder
- “Myoga” (Japanese Ginger) Sushi
- Charcoal Grilled Eel Rolled by “Kaga” Cucumber
- Boiled Prawn with Caviar
- Sashimi
- Grilled Thinly Sliced Sea Bream and Vegetables with Onion Dressing and Ponzu Sauce Paste
- Leek and “Myoga” (Japanese Ginger)
- Main dish
- Roasted “Noto” Beef
- Eggplant, Cherry Tomato and Asparagus
- Deep Fried Tofu
- Mushed Pumpkin from Ishikawa Prefecture
- Sushi
- -Assortment 4 kinds of Nigiri Sushi-
- Tuna
- Greater Amberjack
- White Shrimp from Ishikawa Prefecture
- Saikai Salmon from Ishikawa Prefecture
- “Moromi no Shizuku” Soy Sauce
- Dessert
- Japanese-style confectionery “Sakura”
- Japanese-style confectionery “Akebono”
(Reference2) Beverages
- At the Banquet Hall
- Sake: Kamoizumi KOJU, Junmai Dai Ginjo
- Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
- White Wine: AJIMU WINE GOKKA Chardonnay (2020)
- Usa, Oita Prefecture
- Red Wine: IZUTSU WINE NAC Merlot BARREL (2015)
- Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture
- Non-Alchohol: Hiroshima Lemon Cider
- Natural Water (Okuaizu), Kaneyama, Fukushima Prefecture
- In the Waiting Room
- Awa-Sake: NANBU BIJIN Awa-Sake Sparkling, Iwate Prefecture