Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs, and Communications Hosts a Series of Key Engagements Promoting Fiji and Japan Bilateral Cooperation

/in /by

The Honourable Manoa Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, convened a series of high-level engagements during his official visit to Tokyo and Osaka. These included participation in the Trade and Promotion Mission and the EXPO2025 Osaka – Fiji National Day Week, held from 20 to 28 September 2025.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry for Trade – Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica at the bilateral meeting with the Honourable Yoji Muto and the respective delegates from both Ministries)

The visit was a result of the Government of Japan’s commitment to host Fiji’s high-level representative as an official guest at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai region. The engagements included site visits, bilateral meetings, and community outreach initiatives aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, enhancing bilateral cooperation, and promoting Fiji’s national interests across multiple sectors.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry for Trade – Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Tokyo)

From 20 to 23 September 2025, site visits were conducted at JA Tokatsu in Chiba Prefecture, focusing on Japan’s agricultural cooperatives, particularly cooperative models and agri-business practices. The delegation also visited a local roadside market showcasing Japan’s successful SME frameworks and community-based enterprise models. A tour of the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel provided insights into Japan’s disaster management capabilities, particularly flood mitigation and preparedness infrastructure. Additional visits included the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), exploring innovation and digital cooperation, and the Chugoku Electric Power Company (CEPCO) facility in Hiroshima, where discussions focused on sustainable energy and infrastructure development.

While in Tokyo, Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica held one-on-one meetings with Japanese private sector stakeholders at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation on 22 September. These meetings, convened by the Government of Fiji with support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Pacific Islands Centre (PIC), the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Nippon Foundation through the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF), focused on investment and trade opportunities. Senior representatives from twelve prominent Japanese companies participated, fostering strategic business partnerships and exploring avenues for regional cooperation and collaboration between Fiji and Japan.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry for Trade – DPM Kamikamica at the one-on-one meetings with Japan’s private sector stakeholders held at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation)

The Trade and Investment Promotion in Tokyo also included a bilateral meeting with the Honourable Yoji Muto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, where economic cooperation and trade facilitation were discussed. The Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Japan-Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League, reaffirming parliamentary diplomacy.

(Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica at the Fiji Business Seminar and gift ceremony with Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Dr Mitsutaku Makino, President – Ocean Policy Research Institute.)

The second phase featured the Fiji Trade and Investment Promotion Seminar and Networking Luncheon, also held at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation on 24 September 2025. In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s longstanding contributions to Fiji’s development, stating that “Fiji is open for business, and Japanese investment is warmly welcome.” Minister Kamikamica added that both Fiji and Japan could work together to build a stronger Pacific economy—one that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. He also outlined recent government reforms aimed at fostering a business-friendly environment, including key initiatives for digital connectivity in the Pacific. Presentations from the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Investment Fiji, Tourism Fiji, and Fiji Airways highlighted sector-specific opportunities and reaffirmed Fiji’s readiness to engage with Japanese stakeholders. The seminar was attended by over 80 representatives from Japanese government agencies, private sector organizations, development partners, academic institutions, and members of the diplomatic corps, reflecting strong and growing interest in deepening engagement with Fiji.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry for Trade – Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica with Hon Yuichiro Koga, Japan’s State Minister of Cabinet Office and State Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with delegation at the Expo site and tour of the Japan Pavilion)

The latter part of the week featured Fiji National Day celebrations held on 25 September at Expo 2025 Osaka, marking a milestone for Fiji’s presence at the international exposition. Following the celebration at the Expo site, an evening reception was hosted by the Government of Fiji and attended by Japanese government officials, business leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, Expo representatives, Fijian diaspora, and friends of Fiji. On 26 September, Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica and accompanied delegation participated in the Fiji-Japan Golf Tournament, organized by Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Osaka, Mr Takanori Okada, with support from the Fiji Embassy Tokyo and Fijian professional golfer Mr. Dinesh Chand. The golf tournament served as a platform for business networking. The Fiji Day week also included the Bula Fiji Rugby 7s Tournament, organized by the Fiji Embassy Tokyo, the Fiji Honorary Consular Corp, and the Fijian Community in Japan, with support from the Japan Rugby Football Union, Fiji Rakavi Football Union Ltd, Higashi Osaka City, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation—celebrating and enhancing sporting diplomacy and cultural ties.

(Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica at the Narita International Airport)

The series of engagements concluded with a site visit and high-level business meeting at Narita International Airport on 28 September 2025. The Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation met with senior representatives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Narita International Airport Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, Narita Airport Business Co., Ltd., and JALUX Inc. Discussions focused on the introduction of Fijian Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) at Narita Airport under Japan’s SSW programme, and explored potential collaboration in airport operations, infrastructure development, and operational models.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry for Trade – Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica at the tour of the Japan Pavilion, Osaka Expo site)

Fiji’s Head of Delegation Minister Kamikamica was supported by officials from the Ministry, Ambassador Filimone Waqabaca (Fiji’s Commissioner General for Expo 2025 Osaka), and Ms. Kelera Savu, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Fiji Embassy Tokyo. Additional support was provided by Honourable Faiyaz Koya, Member of Parliament, and Honourable Jese Saukuru, Fiji’s Minister for Youth and Sports, along with members of the sports delegation who also participated in the Expo 2025 Fiji National Day celebrations in Osaka. Minister Saukuru’s presence coincided with a visit to Fukuoka, where the delegation engaged in a sports collaboration programme at the invitation of the Fukuoka Prefectural Government.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

30 September 2025