Press Releases
Japan-Palau Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
October 24, 2025
On October 24, commencing at 10:50 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the Hon. Gustav AITARO, Minister of State of the Republic of Palau. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI welcomed Minister Aitaro’s second visit to Japan this year, and stated that Palau and Japan are geographically, historically, and strategically important partners and have shared tokubetsu (special) relationship. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI stated that the two countries are also important partners in maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law amidst an increasingly complex strategic environment surrounding the region. He also expressed his commitment to work with Palau toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
- Minister MOTEGI touched on cooperation including in the area of cybersecurity, tourism industry and installment of submarine cable. He welcomed the commencement of regular direct flights between Narita and Palau starting on October 29 and expressed his hope that the commencement of the direct flight will help increasing the number of Japanese tourists to Palau. Minister MOTEGI extended his gratitude to Palau for supporting the recovery of the remains of Japanese war dead including those repatriated from the mass burial site on Angaur Island.
- In addition, Minister MOTEGI expressed his willingness to work closely with Palau which will assume the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) next year and to further strengthen the reliable cooperative relations and the "kizuna", bond of trust, with Palau and the Pacific Island countries, and to work on the common challenges and stride forward together.
- Minister Aitaro expressed his appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their contribution made to Palau and stated that he is committed to working closely with Minister MOTEGI for further development of tokubetsu relations between the two countries.
- On other matters, both sides exchanged views on regional affairs.