Bilateral Exchange on Disaster Management

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Hon.Kono Taro MP with Hon.Seruiratu

Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management – Hon. Mr Inia Seruiratu, held bilateral talks with his counterpart, Hon. Kono Taro MP, Minister of State for Disaster Management, at Disaster Management Bureau Building on Friday 29th January.  The meeting was an opportunity for the Hon. Seruiratu to update the Japanese government on the disaster management initiatives being pursued by the Fiji government, as well as put forward request for assistance to build capacity in the area of disaster management.

The Hon. Minister Seruiratu was accompanied to the meeting by Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan, H.E Mataitoga and Fiji Embassy staff, First Secretary Mr.Nadalo and and Second Secretary Ms.Savu.

Fiji-Japan Bilateral Exchange on Agriculture

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Hon. Mr. Inia Seruiratu MP with his Japanese counterpart, Hon. Mr. Hiroshi Moriyama MP

Fiji is looking at Japan as a potential partner to help realise our true potential in the agriculture sector, in particular with agro-processing.

Agriculture Minister, Inia Seruiratu, met with the Japanese Minister for Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Hiroshi Moriyama, on Tuesday 26th January, in Tokyo.

The meeting was to discuss and promote trade and investment cooperation between Fiji and Japan.

“Fiji has huge potential in its agriculture sector in view of agro-processing,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“But for these to materialise will require the assistance of development partners, and Japan is a partner that Fiji looks to for relevant support in this regard.

“In particular, Fiji needs an agro-processing laboratory, food technologists and value-adding technology, and know-how to strengthen its value-adding capacity.

“This is to realise the full potentials of its abundant tropical fruits and vegetables in terms of exports.

“Experts are also required to undertake detail study to help identify and strategise agro-produce for value-adding to export.”

In response, Mr Moriyama said considering similar characteristics of Fiji and Japan’s climate and agro produce, the provision of expertise assistance would prove ideal.

The Hon.Seruiratu was accompanied to the meeting by Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan, H.E Mataitoga and Fiji Embassy staff, Counselor Mrs Korovou and Second Secretary Ms.Savu.

Commissioning of Fiji’s New Honorary Consul – Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

In yet another milestone development, the Fiji Embassy Tokyo, on the eve of 19th of January 2016, successfully commissioned Mrs Mami Kawamura as Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture in the Kyushu region, Japan.

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H.E Mataitoga presenting HC Kawamura with her Consular Commission

The inauguration event was marked by the official handing over of the Consular Commission that was signed by Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, by His Excellency Isikeli Mataitoga, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mrs Mami Kawamura.

Ambassador Mataitoga congratulated Mrs Kawamura on behalf of the Government of Fiji for accepting the appointment, and expressed profound gratitude for her for her integrity and industry.

The opening of the Honorary Consul underscore Fiji’s long standing policy in establishing and maintaining friendly relations with countries that have demonstrated genuine goodwill towards Fiji, using it to widen and deepen Fiji’s diplomatic footprint in an important region of Japan. It is also a reflection of the goodwill enjoyed between Japan and Fiji since 1970 in the promotion of economic, commercial and people-to-people relations between the two countries.

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HE Mataitoga & Mme Mataitoga, HC & Mr Kawamura with distinguished guests

Ambassador Mataitoga stressed on the growth in the number of Fijian students studying in Ritsumeikai Asia Pacific University (APU), to which we now have 14 Fijian students in Beppu alone compared to 1 student four years ago.  This is apart from the 16 Fijian students that are currently pursuing studies in graduate schools and specialized programs throughout Japan, under the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship program.  indeed, a major development in Fiji/Japan relations.

With the establishment of the new Honorary Consul`s Office in Beppu, Ambassador Mataitoga is confident that Fiji stands to gain much more from deepening its tourism, trade, and investment promotion in not only Oita but throughout the Kyushu region.  The presence of the new Consulate office is anticipated to also promote greater public diplomacy in the form of tourism, school and people to people exchanges and further boost economic and trade cooperation between Fiji and the people of Oita.

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Fijian students of the Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu City entertaining guests at the commissioning ceremony

The Fiji Consulate office in Oita is expected to serve as an excellent outpost to launch and promote Fiji in the Southern part of Japan.

Fiji now has two Honorary Consuls and an Honorary Consul General in Japan, located in three different Prefectures. Ambassador Mataitoga in keeping with his vision intends to set up similar arrangements in other regions of Japan.

Before the Commissioning Ceremony for the Honorary Consul, Ambassador Mataitoga and diplomatic staff from the Embassy held a Trade & Investment Seminar, in which 51 members of the Oita Chamber of Commerce & Industry was represented. This another major step in promotion Fijian made products in an important and growing region of Japan.

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The 200 invited guests enjoying the tuiboto

 

 

 

Fiji Signs MOU with Pampanga State Agricultural University – The Philippines

In a milestone development, the Hon. Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Agriculture, Rural & Maritime Development and National Disaster Management signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dr. Honorio M. Soriano Jr, the President of Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines on 13 January 2016.

The MOU allows Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture to use PSAU expertise in identifying Fijian agricultural products for commercial development and actually assist the private sector in Fiji, to fully develop these for commercial markets in Fiji and overseas.  Training and student exchange programs is also part of the MOU.

The Hon.Seruiratu and the Ministry of Agriculture officials were accompanied by H.E Mataitoga, who is Fiji’s non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines.

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Dr Apaitia Macanawai, Mr Tomasi Tuinabuna, Hon Inia Seruiratu, Ambassador Mataitoga and Dr. Ravi Joshi

 

 

 

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji, Tokyo – Vacancy for Finance Administrative Officer [Accounts]

FINANCE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER [ACCOUNTS] 

The incumbent will be responsible to the Ambassador in the management and operation of all physical, manpower and financial resources allocated to the Account Section for the implementation, monitoring, coordination and evaluation of the Embassy`s account. Another function involves conducting the annual Board of Survey, Staff Leave Administration and assisting in interpretation – Japanese to English and vice versa or any other additional duties required by the Ambassador.

Qualification: A relevant Degree in Accounts and Finance Management or equivalent from a recognised institution. The incumbent should have at least 5 years’ service in any organization in Japan. Special Requirements and additional qualification in Interpretation and Human Resource Management would be an added advantage.

Skills: Excellent analytical skills with advanced Excel Spreadsheet including ability to prepare cash flows, Variance analysis, Financial ratios & others and have knowledge of various Accounting Softwares and systems.

Applications for the said post must be addressed to the Ambassador (Attention: Second Secretary, NOA Bld. 14F, 2-3-5 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0041). All applicants must include their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Original transcripts (with English translation if needed).

Closing date for all applications must arrive by Monday, 10 August 2015. Late applications will not be considered.

Kanku-Tabihaku 2015 Travel Showcase at Kansai International Airport

Fiji Embassy Tokyo for the first time participated in the Kanku-Tabihaku 2015 Travel Showcase held at Kansai Int’l Airport in Osaka on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2015.

With the support of the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji in Osaka, Mr Hirokazu Ishibashi, Fiji Embassy Tokyo among other over 100 exhibitors such as Tokyo based Embassies, Tourism Offices, airline companies, hoteliers, inbound/outbound domestic/overseas travel agents, took advantage of this excellent opportunity to promote Fiji and Fiji tourism.

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Supported by Kurimoto & Co., Ltd., distributor of Island Chill mineral water, Tachibana & Co., Ltd., Adi Chocolate distributor, and Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, Fiji travel seminar was conducted.  It was well-received by 56 audiences.

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Fiji Embassy Participates in the 39th Asia-Pacific Festival & Charity Bazaar 2015

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, 8 April 2015. The event was officiated by HIH Princess Hanako Hitachi.

With 26 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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HE Mr and Mrs Mataitoga with Miss Fiji, Adi Miriama Drauna

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.

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Fiji’s participation included a Fiji Food booth and a separate booth for Handicraft goods. Fiji brand commodities like AQUA Pacific water, Curry spices, FMF Biscuits, Mokosoi and Pure Fiji products generated quite a lot of interest particularly with the Fiji brand that is associated with these products. The yearly occasion remains as a tremendous opportunity to market Fiji in terms of tradable commodities and Fiji as a tourist destination.

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The Embassy is truly grateful for the assistance from Fiji friends who volunteered to assist at the Fiji booths. The four hour event was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Support for the Fiji Rugby 7s Team – Tokyo Sevens 2015

The Vodafone Fiji 7s Team picked up where they left off after triumphing in Hong Kong last weekend, 28-29 March 2015 and Las Vegas on 13-15 February 2015 by easing past Wales 19-10 and trouncing Hong Kong 35-14 in Pool A at the Prince Chichibu stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, 4 April 2015.

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HE Mataitoga with Team Manager, Mr Paula Biu and Medical Coordinator, Mr William Koong

Support for the Fiji Team was strong right from the day of their arrival in Tokyo with the Fiji Embassy keeping a close contact with them to render any assistance that they require. Staff and family members of the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo together with the Fijian community in Japan joined hands to rally their full support and cheer for Coach Ben Ryan and his players on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April 2015. Despite coming third in the Tokyo 7s Cup final, Fiji remains a distant second on the IRB World Series table.

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There was also enormous support from Fiji friends who have been following the HSBC Sevens World Series Fiji team in their recent excursion, with their vocal chants and cheers sending a strong message to the Fiji Team on the field.

As a token of appreciation to our team, the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo hosted the Fiji Sevens Rugby Team and officials to a dinner reception on Sunday 5 April 2015. The function was attended by the Fiji Embassy Staff and families, including Fiji community and Fiji friends. About 80 attended the dinner reception.

HE Mataitoga bid farewell to our sevens gladiators and also thanked everyone who attended the function which was a sign of our support for the Fiji National Team. The team departed Tokyo for Fiji on Monday 6 April 2015.

It was noted that the top four teams in the Sevens World Series automatically secure a place in Rio, where sevens rugby will make its Olympic debut. Tokyo was the seventh leg of the nine-stage circuit, which ends in London next month. South Africa (129 points), Fiji (125) and New Zealand (120) look set to claim the top three spots.

 

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