Visit to Japan of the Honorable Laisenia Qarase, Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and Mrs. Leba Qarase

October 2002

The Honorable Laisenia Qarase, Chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Prime Minister of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and Mrs. Leba Qarase, accompanied by a suite, paid a visit to Japan from October 5 to 10 as guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During their stay in Japan, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Qarase had an audience with Their Majesties Emperor and Empress, and held talks with prominent members of the Japanese Government including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi to exchange views on such topics as the Third Japan-PIF Summit Meeting (PALM 2003) scheduled to be held between April and June of the next year, cooperative relations between Japan and the Pacific islands region, and the bilateral relations between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Qarase also visited Kyoto.

The Government of Japan, in view of promoting the regional dialogue and cooperation as well as strengthening the dialogue between Japan and the PIF, has been inviting the Chairman of the PIF to Japan every year.

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