The Ministry of Justice of Fiji and the Ministry of Justice of Japan convened a Strategic Dialogue on Law and Justice on 31 July 2025, reaffirming their shared commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and good governance.

In his opening address, H.E. Tsutsumi Yoshiyuki, Assistant Vice-Minister of Justice of Japan, welcomed Hon. Siromi Turaga, Fiji’s Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General, and his delegation. He highlighted the inception of ST-Just—an initiative designed to foster legal cooperation through regular exchange and collaboration—and emphasized the dialogue’s potential to deepen bilateral ties grounded in mutual respect and shared values.

In response, Minister Turaga expressed his appreciation for Japan’s hospitality and reaffirmed Fiji’s dedication to advancing human rights, good governance, and judicial reform. He noted that the dialogue serves as a pivotal forum for developing practical and sustainable initiatives in law and justice, marking a milestone in the growing partnership between Japan and Fiji.

The programme also featured a signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Cooperation in the fields of law and justice. As Minister Turaga remarked, the Memorandum lays the foundation for a practical framework for cooperation. From corrections reform and youth engagement to legal capacity-building and digital transformation, the dialogue and MoC establish a technical partnership rooted in mutual respect and inspired by Japan’s commitment to legal innovation and integrity.

With participation from high-level officials and legal experts, the dialogue and Memorandum of Cooperation provided a platform for practical, forward-looking collaboration, affirming Fiji’s commitment to learning from Japan’s expertise in shaping sustainable justice cooperation.

As part of the Minister’s visitation programme in Tokyo, the seven-member delegation was hosted by Ms. Kelera Savu, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji, for a lunch meeting on 30 July 2025. This gathering offered an opportunity for Minister Turaga to engage with key stakeholders and senior representatives from the Government of Japan and other key agencies focused on strengthening Fiji and Japan’s bilateral ties.

On 31 July 2025, the Minister and delegation also conducted a site visit to a correctional facility, facilitating exchanges and capacity-building in corrections management and rehabilitation, among other areas of mutual interest.

Before returning to Fiji, the delegation held a meeting with Mr. Filimone Waqabaca, CEO of the Fiji Development Bank and Commissioner-General for Fiji at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

2 August 2025

The Honourable Manoa Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications, met with Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, at the Nippon Foundation Office in Tokyo.

(l-r: Dr Yohei Sasakawa with Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica)

In his opening remarks, Chairman Yohei Sasakawa commended Fiji’s leadership in promoting peace and stability across the Pacific. He emphasized his lifelong mission—spanning over 50 years—of supporting partner nations, including Fiji, in the global fight to eliminate leprosy.

Chairman Sasakawa also reflected on his recent discussions with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM10) held in Tokyo in July 2024. These talks reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties and shared priorities between Fiji and Japan.

Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica conveyed the warm greetings and appreciation of Prime Minister Rabuka and the people of Fiji. He recognized Mr. Sasakawa’s enduring contributions to Fiji and the broader Pacific, particularly in areas such as disaster preparedness, ocean governance and climate change, maritime security, health and education, poverty alleviation. 

He also expressed gratitude for the Nippon Foundation’s role in organizing the Coast Guard Global Summit in Tokyo in October 2023, which included participation from the Fiji Navy.

Fiji and the Nippon Foundation would seek to collaborate on further cultural exchanges to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Fiji and Japan and a high-level Fijian delegation may also visit Osaka on 25 September 2025 to celebrate Fiji’s National Day.    

Chairman Sasakawa concluded with a call for deeper international cooperation to address the unique challenges faced by small island nations. He expressed hope that successful agricultural knowledge transfer programs in Africa could be extended to the Pacific to bolster food security in the region.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

28 May 2025

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Japan, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Japan, conducted an Activity Report and Networking event at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, marking the conclusion of a two-year collaboration under the Government of Japan’s initiative to promote trade and investment opportunities aimed at addressing social issues in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Senior METI officials, members of the PIC diplomatic corp, trade-affiliated agencies, and business sector representatives attended the event. About 40 people attended the three-and-a-half-hour event.

The business networking event is a result of the Government of Japan’s ongoing commitment to creating economic opportunities for the PICs following the Japan-Pacific Island Countries Economic Forum held alongside the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM10) on 17 July 2024. It also continued the business matching event at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) on 29 October 2024. The event, held in Suva, Fiji, showcased business opportunities from 12 Japanese companies to representatives from the PICs, highlighting Japanese startups and flagship projects in Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.

Participants of the business networking event comprising of the METI officials, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) Mr Ali, Pacific Islands Ambassadors’ Group (PICAG), and Japan business companies.

Fiji Embassy Tokyo Chargé d’Affaires ai Ms. Kelera Savu acknowledged METI’s collaboration on behalf of the Government of Japan, emphasizing the significant contributions these opportunities bring, particularly regarding Japan’s commitment to expanding its trade and investment relationships in the Pacific region. Mr. Ariff Ali, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, who was a guest at the occasion, also acknowledged the Government of Japan’s consistent contributions to Fiji’s socio-economic development and progress in relevant sectors through Government-to-Government cooperation and public-private partnership investments. He emphasized that Fiji’s foreign exchange earnings are a direct result of such collaboration.

Mr Yasuji Komiyama, Director-General for Trade Policy and Economic Cooperation, METI, in his remarks, emphasized the geopolitical importance of the Pacific, which remains a key focus of the Japanese government’s efforts in the PICs. He also highlighted the necessity of improving infrastructure sectors, particularly utilizing funding available under Japan’s Global South Cooperation initiative.

During the presentation session, the 12 Japanese companies summarized their business concepts aimed at addressing social issues relevant to the development of the PICs. These concepts included advancements in wastewater treatment and sewage purification, tourism, renewable energy and power grid stabilization, agricultural and fisheries data technology, disaster management, seawater desalination and water purification systems, wind power generation, and effective recycling methods.

The event concluded with a successful networking session among the 40 guests and representatives from the Pacific Island Countries Ambassadorial Group (PICAG) who attended.

Key agencies involved in this project included the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Pacific Islands Centre, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The Activity Report and Networking event is the final phase of this initiative. The upcoming fiscal year plans for the Pacific Island Countries from METI were also presented.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

13 February 2025

Hon. Sitiveni L. Rabuka, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, held an audience with Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, on Friday, 19 July 2024 at the Fiji Embassy Tokyo conference room, with the purpose of promoting Fiji’s visibility and bilateral issues for the consideration of Nippon Foundation.

(l-r) Prime Minister, Hon Sitiveni L. Rabuka, with JICA President Dr. Tanaka

While acknowledging the meeting with Dr Sasakawa, the Prime Minister echoed sentiments at the earlier meeting with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation President and acknowledged the efforts by SPF that led to the inception of the PALM Summit.

The meeting further acknowledged the instrumental efforts by the Nippon Foundation in assisting Fiji and the Pacific region in strengthening development efforts and in forging strong bonds or Kizuna within the region.

The leading role of the Nippon Foundation (NF) has assisted in facilitating development cooperation on ocean-related projects, disaster preparedness, quality education, health, and poverty reduction. The NF has also been influential and supportive towards human resource development and exchange and in co-hosting the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in Tokyo, which included the Republic of Fiji Navy participation.

While also commending the hosting of the Pacific Island Nations Week, the Prime Minister expressed an interest for new opportunities on education, health, climate change and oceans, with an emphasis on the protection of the ocean against unsustainable developments and pollution.

The Prime Minister at the closing of the meeting extended an invitation for the Chairman Dr Sasakawa to visit Fiji and looks forward to the continued collaboration between Fiji and the Nippon Foundation in the near future.

On Fiji’s participation, the Prime Minister was supported by Fiji’s Ambassador in Tokyo, H.E Filimone Waqabaca, Permanent Secretary Mr Peter Wise, FS Kelera Savu, Adi Vuki Qionibaravi; and officials of the SPF.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

24 July 2024

Hon. Sitiveni L. Rabuka, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, held an audience with Hon Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives and Chairman of the Japan-Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League, on Thursday, 18 July 2024, at the National Diet Building, with the purpose of promoting Fiji’s visibility and bilateral issues for the consideration of The Diet.

(l-r) Prime Minister, Hon Sitiveni L. Rabuka, with Hon. Fukushiro Nukaga

The Prime Minister commended Japan’s unwavering support in Fiji’s socio-economic development, in continuing its efforts to promote Fiji and Japan’s bilateral relation and in further demonstrating the significance of the Japan-Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League which was establishment in March, 2015. Through the League’s support, the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo has been able to expand its activities and outreach programs across Japan’s 47 prefectures, with an aim to contribute towards expanding Fiji’s economic and bilateral interests.

Fiji’s Delegation supporting the Prime Minister comprised of Fiji’s Ambassador in Tokyo, H.E. Filimone Waqabaca, Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Mr Peter Wise, First Secretary Kelera Savu, Adi Vuki Qionibaravi and SS Amo; including officials of the Fiji-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

24 July 2024