Japan-Solomon Relations
Courtesy Call on Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade MANELE of Solomon Islands by Parliamentary Vice-Minister UESUGI
April 26, 2022
On April 26, commencing at 5:00 p.m. local time (On April 26, at 3:00 p.m. JST) for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. UESUGI Kentaro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who was visiting Solomon Islands, paid a courtesy call on Hon. Jeremiah MANELE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi stated that, with the restrictions on cross-border travel during COVID-19, he believed that face-to-face meetings would allow the two sides to get to know each other better and expressed his desire to have meaningful discussions with Minister Manele. In response, Minister Manele welcomed Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi's visit and expressed his gratitude for Japan's support over the years.
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi conveyed that Japan intends to steadily promote Japan’s Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy announced at the Ninth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM9) and support the sustainable development of Solomon Islands, and the two sides concurred on continuing close bilateral coordination to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
- The two sides had another frank exchange of views on the security cooperation agreement between China and Solomon Islands, reviewing the discussion with Prime Minister Sogavare in the morning.
- In addition, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Uesugi requested continued cooperation from the Solomon Islands side regarding the collection and repatriation of the remains of Japanese soldiers of WWII and the stable operation of Japanese fishing vessels. Moreover, the two sides concurred to address various regional issues in a cooperative way, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine and responses to North Korea, and in this context, Foreign Minister Manele reiterated Solomon Islands’ support for Japan on the abduction issue.