Japan-Papua New Guinea Relations

On May 18, commencing at 5:50 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with the Hon. Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG), who is staying in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, to attend the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM8). The overview of the summit meeting is as follows.

1. Prime Minister Abe stated that he is happy to meet Prime Minister O'Neill again following last year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, along with extending his sympathies over the earthquake disaster that occurred in PNG's highlands region in February. Prime Minister Abe also announced that Japan intends to provide 300 million yen of grant aid for developing disaster-resilient infrastructure, and explained that he hopes to discuss the challenges facing the region, including maritime security, climate change and disaster prevention, at PALM8. 
2. In response, Prime Minister O'Neill expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by Japan thus far, and the two sides shared the view that they will cooperate toward the success of PALM8.
3. Prime Minister Abe stated that he hopes to collaborate and cooperate with PNG on the basis of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy," and the two sides shared the view that they will collaborate under that Strategy.
4. Prime Minister Abe asked that consideration be given to stable operations by Japanese fishing vessels, and requested cooperation with the project to recover the remains of war dead and the prompt resolution of the abductions issue. Prime Minister O'Neill expressed support for Japan's position on North Korea, including the abductions issue.