Increasing Visibility in Regional Japan – The FET Visits Saga and Fukuoka Prefectures

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The FET undertook Prefectural visit to the south of Japan in April (26th to 28th), one of the means of forging close bilateral relations with Japanese counterparts and constituents, especially Regional-Japan.  Ambassadors Mataitoga, accompanied by FS Nadalo, visited the prefectures of Saga and Fukuoka in the Kyushu region, paying courtesy visits on the Governors of the two prefectures as well as the Mayors of Saga City and Munakata City. The FET team also took the opportunity to visit the Queen Victoria School (QVS) U18 rugby team that was representing Fiji at the annual SANIX World Youth Rugby Tournament (April 26th to May 5th) in Fukuoka.

Courtesy Call by the Newly Appointed Director of Pacific Islands Centre (PIC) to the Fiji Embassy

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The newly appointed Director of the Pacific Islands Centre, Mr Ryuzo SAITO called on Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga on 21 April 2016. This was a courtesy visit by the new Director following his appointment and he took the opportunity to discuss a few issues.

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Mr Saito and HE Mataitoga

Mr Saito noted that his background was from the private sector of Japan and he had many years in project business developments for many Japanese Companies in overseas countries. He is looking forward to the challenge of working with the Pacific Island Countries through their diplomatic missions in Japan. Mr Saito was keen on getting insights and learning from Ambassador Mataitoga’s experience in undertaking business promotion in Japan for Fiji.

Ambassador Mataitoga welcome Mr Saito to his new appointment and advised him that the Fiji Embassy, Japan will assist him and the PIC during his tenure, as it has done in the past. He encouraged Mr Saito to learn the challenges of small island states and take time to understand the situations of each PIC. The Fiji Embassy, Tokyo is happy to assist him and our network of Honorary Consular Corp in Japan, as he develops his priority activities for the Pacific Island Countries.

FET Advocacy Seminar on Post TC.Winston Relief & Rebuilding, Damage and Needs Assessment – assisted by the SPF of Japan

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The Sasakawa Peace Foundation [SPF] together with the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Japan held an Advocacy Seminar in Tokyo on Tuesday, 12 April 2016, to provide information of the damage assessments post TC Winston and identify the priority areas of the Fiji Government for assistance. Senior Government politicians, government officials, members of the local diplomatic corp, representatives of business sector, representatives of Non-Government Organizations, academia, interested individuals and friends of Fiji in Japan attended the seminar. Over 70 people attended the seminar.

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 Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga giving the opening remarks

  

The seminar started with the opening remarks from Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga providing an overview of the damaged sustained and potential areas of assistance that Japan may support. This was followed by remarks from the Honorable Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga MP, Chairman of the Japan/Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League on the role they will play in supporting Fiji’s effort rebuild a better Fiji in the aftermath of TC Winston.

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Hon. Mr Fukushiro Nukaga MP providing some remarks

The seminar then heard a detail presentation from Mrs Julia Korovou [Counsellor] on the government’s efforts during the relief and now into the beginning of the rebuilding stage post TC Winston. The detail damage cost estimates by sectors were provided to participants. The two recent government initiatives on “Help for Home” and “Adopt A School” were also explained to the participants and they were challenged to support the efforts of the Fijian Government in rebuilding a better and more resilient Fiji, having learnt the lessons from TC Winston.

The seminar provided an opportunity for Ambassador Mataitoga to express the Fiji Government’s deep appreciation to all those governments, organization and individuals for their generous assistance thus far. He also noted that Fiji is looking to the Japanese Government for special expertise and funding support during the rebuilding phase based on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

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Presentation by Counsellor Julia Korovou

The seminar is the second stage of the Fiji Embassy efforts to raise funds for relief and rehabilitation work in Fiji. The first phase involved the opening of a bank account with a local Japanese Bank in early March coinciding with the Ambassador writing to targeted recipients including Mayor of municipalities, Governors of several Prefectural Governments that have close collaboration with Fiji, business leaders and individuals, requesting financial donation towards the Fund Appeal for TC Winston Relief and Rehabilitation.

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The lively Q&A Session with the Ambassador Mataitoga

Fiji Embassy, Tokyo

13 April 2016

 

Fiji’s Adopt A School Program – A Government Initiative in the Aftermath of Cyclone Winston

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See link —-> Adopt A School

FET Participates in the 40th Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society (ALFS) Charity Bazaar, 2016

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The Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society (ALFS) comprising of spouses of Ambassadors from Asia-Pacific countries based in Tokyo and the Japanese ladies hosted its annual “Charity Bazaar” at the ANA Inter-Continental Hotel, Tokyo on Wednesday, 6 April 2016. The event was officiated by HIH Princess Hanako Hitachi. With 23 member countries from the Asia Pacific region and a general membership of over 300, the bazaar provided a good opportunity for the public to witness the fruit and efforts of diplomatic and Japanese members of ALFS working together. Proceeds from the charity event are shared amongst participating countries for charitable assistance in their home countries.

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Ms Fiji 2016 – Ms Kuniko Kobayashi, Fiji Friend (former JICA volunteer in Fiji) who came all the way from Mie prefecture to assist the Embassy in this event

HE Mr Isikeli Mataitoga and Madame Venina Mataitoga greeted HIH Princess Hanako Hitachi at the Fiji Handicraft booth and introduced Her Imperial Highness to the various products offered by our booth. Fiji’s participation included a Fiji Food booth and a separate booth for Handicraft goods. Fiji brand commodities like AQUA Pacific water, Punjas Curry spices, Fiji Raw Cane Sugar, Pure Fiji and Virgin Coconut Oil products generated quite a lot of interest.

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HE Mr and Mrs Mataitoga with HC Mami Kawamura and Group from Beppu, Oita

 The yearly occasion remains as a tremendous opportunity to market Fiji in terms of tradable commodities and Fiji as a tourist destination. The Embassy is truly grateful for the assistance from Fiji friends who volunteered to assist at the Fiji booths and all to those that purchased the FET – ALFS Charity Bazaar 2016 Door and Raffle tickets. The four-hour event was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

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FET Staff, family and friends of Fiji at the Fiji Booth

 

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Embassy of the Republic of Fiji, Tokyo

7 April 2016

Japan/Fiji Friendship Parlimentary League Donates Towards PMsS TC Winston Relief and Rehabilitation Appeal

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In a solemn ceremony held today Thursday 7 April 2016 at the Japanese Parliamentary Complex in Tokyo, Japan, the Honorable Mr. Fukushiro NUKAGA MP, Chairman of the Japan/Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League handed the financial donation from the Members of the Parliamentary League to Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga. The money which will be initially deposited in the Bank Account opened in Tokyo for the PM’s TC Winston Relief and Rehabilitation Appeal before it will be sent to main account in Fiji, at the end of the appeal period which is 31 May 2016.

JFPFL - donates to PM's TCW Appeal

The Hon Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga MP handing the donation Ambassador Mataitoga on behalf of the members of the Japan/Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League

Ambassador Mataitoga in accepting the generous donation from Honorable Nukaga, expressed the deep appreciation and gratitude of the government and people of Fiji to the Japanese Government and people for their support towards Fiji in the aftermath of the devastation caused by TC Winston in Fiji on 20-21 February 2016. He also underscore the need for further Japanese assistance, in the rebuilding stage post TC Winston, in ensuring a more resilient and safe community is developed. Fiji will bounce back from this experience, more mature, resilient and a safer country as we learn the lessons of TC Winston.
There were three Ministers and 7 other Member of the Japanese Parliament attended the ceremony to personally express their condolences for the loss of life caused by TC Winston and to show their solidarity and empathy towards Fiji and its people at this difficult period in our history.
Fiji Embassy, Tokyo
7 April 2016.

Update_Cyclone_Winston

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See link for updates —–>     TC Winston Brief – 29th Feb

AG AND OTHER MINISTERS DISTRIBUTE AID TO CYCLONE VICTIMS IN NORTH WEST OF VITI LEVU

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Attorney General, Hon.Kaiyum inspects cyclone affected areas and helps out with the distribution of relief supplies.

2/29/2016

Residents severely affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston in the north-west of VitiLevu have received desperately needed relief supplies during a three day tour of the region by the Attorney-General, Hon Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

The AG fanned out across a wide area with two other Government ministers – the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation. Hon. Rosy Akbar, and the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Environment, Infrastructure and Transport, Hon Parveen Kumar.

They distributed a large portion of the 10,000 food packs that have been donated to the cyclone relief effort by two of Fiji’s biggest companies – CJ Patel and Punja and Sons. They also began the distribution of a large number of kitchen utensils donated by R.C Manubhai.

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Disaster relief teams preparing supplies for distribution

The AG’s tour took in cyclone-ravaged areas of Raviravi, Karavi and Yalalevu, (Ba) on Friday, Korobuya, Nabutini, Busabusa and Veisaru (Ba) and Korovou (Tavua) on Saturday, and Nadhari, and Navia (Ba) on Sunday.

In addition, Minister Akbar visitedMaruru, Yalalevu, Clopcott ,Nukulua, Vatuvui and Sarava. And Minister Kumar visited Veisaru, Veitiyaka, Qerelevu, Nakavika, Nabatolu, Itatoko, Korovutu and Navoli.

It was the first time many of those affected by Cyclone Winston had received any form of assistance since it cut a swathe through the region a week ago. And residents expressed their relief and thanks to the AG and the two other Minsters.

An emotional Teja Singh, who is a 71-year-old farmer in the Raviravi area of Ba, said he had lost all his belongings in the cyclone and was very grateful to have finally received some assistance.

“No-one has visited us until now and I am very happy to see you”, he told the AG, “ I have lived here all my life but have nothing left. All my possessions are gone and my sugar cane has been damaged. We desperately need help so thank you for coming with this food”, he said.

Another resident, Naushad Ali, said that of all the cyclones in his lifetime, Winston was the worst.“ It is the first time that I have seen a cyclone cause so much damage. Everything is still wet and our things are ruined. Please help us,” he pleaded.

Vijayanti Mala also warmly thanked the AG for the assistance he had brought and said it meant a great deal to her and her family.
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“Our roof blew away and nothing much is left. We all desperately need help. My son is getting married soon but my kitchen has been damaged. How am I going to prepare for the wedding?”, she asked.

The AG said all Fijians must stay united as the relief effort continues and help each other through the challenge of the coming weeks and months.

“ It is critical that we all come together as a nation at this time. It is the only way we are going to put this tragedy behind us quickly. Many of the people we were able to help are Fijians who had fallen through the cracks of the relief effort so far. We have to keep improving the delivery of food water and adequate shelter. We cannot leave anyone behind. So I appeal to everyone to highlight areas of acute need so that the Government can step in and provide prompt assistance”, he said.

CJ Patel has donated 5000 food packs valued at $232,000 and Punja and Sons another 5000 valued at $129,000 to assist the relief effort. R.C Manubhai have donated kitchen utensils to the value of $15,000 and mattresses and roofing supplies worth another $20,000.

The AG warmly thanked all three companies for their contribution to alleviating the plight of cyclone victims.

“Fijian companies are responding magnificently to our call for assistance and I want to pay tribute to CJ Patel,Punja and Sons, R.C Manubhai and all those other companies who are being exemplary corporate citizens by supporting their fellow Fijians in this crisis”, he said.

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Youths of Naqelewai welcome and help out with the cyclone relief supplies distribution teams

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Source – Fiji Government Media Centre