Press Releases

1. On Tuesday, March 9, the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods (Jerry cans and water purifiers) to the RMI through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in response to the request from the Government of the RMI following serious damage from the drought in the country. The handover ceremony took place on March 11, in Majuro, the capital of the RMI, attended by H.E. Mr. Hideyuki Mitsuoka, Japanese Ambassador to the RMI, and Hon. Tony Muller, Minister of Public Works of the RMI.

2. The RMI generally has dry season from November to March and there is little rainfall every year in the season. However, the RMI is suffering from severe drought this year due to extraordinary water shortage caused by El Nino since last year. Based on the situation, the Government of the RMI declared a State of Emergency for the severe drought on February 3, 2016.

3. In addition, the Government of Japan has decided to extend Grant Aid of 200 million yen to the RMI and the notes to this effect were exchanged on Thursday, March 10. This Grant Aid aims at supporting the economic and social development for the RMI including securing the supply of water and contributing to improving the investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region.

4. In light of the friendly relationship between Japan and the RMI as well as the cooperation to global issues and the support for self-sustaining development, the Government of Japan will keep on supporting the efforts of the RMI by ODA.