Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) Signs MOU with Oita Maizuru High School

Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oita Maizuru High School, Japan, on the promotion of people-to-people exchanges, education, sports, and cultural exchanges on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit of both schools.

The relationship between RKS and Oita dates back to August 2017, when the RKS U17 Rugby Team was invited for a one-week tour to Oita, which included a friendly match with selected Oita Senior High rugby players. RKS secured an invitation to the City of Oita after winning the U16 grade during the Deans Trophy competition in 2016. The same team went on to win the SANIX World Rugby Youth Exchange Tournament 2018 in Fukuoka, Japan.

Signing on behalf of Ratu Kadavulevu School, Principal Ilaisa Tukana Waqalala said the MOU is the first of its kind to be established with an overseas school. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone for allowing RKS to be part of the MOU signing. “This is a great achievement for us,” he said.

The MOU would also contribute to the enhanced level of sports and rugby programs in the two respective schools through the development of activities and exchanges.

Mr. Keiji Kubota, Principal of Oita Maizuru High School in signing the MOU, stressed that this would be a means for building friendly ties and more collaboration and hoped that it would create further development between our two countries. The school is also grateful to be able to receive students from Fiji.

Under the MOU, RKS and Maizuru will promote and strengthen technical assistance in developing people-to-people exchanges, education, sports, and cultural exchange activities. The first 2(two) students from RKS are expected to arrive in Japan for the April 2023 school intake.

Chargé d’Affaires Kelera Savu also took the opportunity to express sincere gratitude to everyone whose dedication and efforts have contributed to the finalization of this MOU. She stressed how the MOU commits us to work together more closely towards our common goal, the pursuit of further strengthening people-to-people exchanges under the PALM process.

Following the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Savu briefed Mr. Waqalala on the work carried out by the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo, especially in people-to-people exchanges, education, sports, and culture collaboration with Oita Prefecture, City of Oita and Oita Tomei High School. It is noted that through the assistance of the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo, Oita Tomei High School, Japan, brings in 2(two) students every two years to undertake a three-year high school study, which also includes people-to-people exchanges and sports.

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2022 Fijian General Elections

Bula Vinaka and Greetings to you all,

Please be informed that earlier today (Monday, 31 December 2022) the Writ of Election has been issued by His Excellency Ratu Wiliame Maivalili KATONIVERE, the President of the Republic of Fiji to the Electoral Commission of Fiji. As such, the 2022 Fijian General Elections will take place on Wednesday, 14 December 2022.

Furthermore, effective from today (31/10/22) from 15:00hrs JST (18:00hrs FJT), there will be no new registrations, no upgrading of cards and details permitted.

Fijian Nationals residing abroad who are already registered with the Fijian Elections Office are requested to visit the following website link to apply for Postal Voting:

https://www.feo.org.fj/

[First Prefectural Visits] Fijian Ambassador to Japan meets leaders of Akita Prefecture, and vows to strengthen and deepen ties with Akita.

Fijian Wedding in Tokyo

On Saturday, 27 August 2022, FS Kelera Savu attended the wedding of Mr. Bolavanua Niumataiwalu (Fiji national) and Ms. Louise Shoeman (South Africa). The wedding took place at Household of God Church in Takenotsuka, Adachi, Tokyo. Some members of the Fiji Community in Tokyo attended the wedding as well.

Ambassador-designate Waqabaca pays courtesy calls on Ambassador Adelbai of the Republic of Palau in Tokyo

On Wednesday, 24 August 2022, Ambassador-designate Filimone Waqabaca, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Peter ADELBAI, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Palau to Japan.

Ambassador Adelbai, who was recently posted to Japan as the Ambassador in April 2022, greeted the newly accredited Fijian Ambassador to Japan and once again extended his congratulations and commended the work of the Fiji Embassy Tokyo. Other points of discussions included the main activities of the embassy, sister city and local engagements, together with the PALM Process and Exchanges on the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Ambassador-designate Filimone WAQABACA with H.E. Mr. Peter ADELBAI

Ambassador-designate Waqabaca meets with Ambassador Abal of Papua New Guinea

On Tuesday, 23 August 2022, Ambassador-designate Filimone Waqabaca, had a lunch meeting with H.E. Mr. Samuel ABAL, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Papua New Guinea to Japan.

The lunch meeting represented a great opportunity for networking. Ambassador Abal, who was recently posted to Japan in September 2021, greeted the newly accredited Fijian Ambassador to Japan and once again extended his congratulations and commended the work of the Fiji Embassy Tokyo. Other points of discussions included the main activities of the embassy, and exchanges on the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Ambassador-designate Filimone WAQABACA with H.E. Mr. Samuel ABAL.

President of Sasakawa Peace Foundation pays Courtesy Call on Ambassador-Designate

On Tuesday, 16 August 2022, the President of Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), Dr. Atsushi Sunami paid a courtesy call on Ambassador-Designate Filimone Waqabaca at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo. The meeting generated meaningful discussions on prospects of new cooperation and partnership between the Embassy and the SPF.

Ambassador-Designate Filimone Waqabaca with Dr. Atsushi Sunami

Fijian Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs

On Friday, 5 August 2022, Ambassador-Designate Filimone Waqabaca paid a courtesy call on Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Takeo Mori in Tokyo. The Ambassador’s visit was to present a copy of his Credentials as the Republic of Fiji’s new Ambassador to Japan.

Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca with Vice-Minister Mori

The Hon. Vice-Minister Mori welcomed Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca to Japan and stressed on how important the Japan-Fiji relationship has been. Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca expressed his appreciation to the Hon. Mori for the Government of Japan’s support and assistance towards Fiji particularly in the areas of (i) COVID-19 Recovery and Response, (ii) Sustainable Oceans Based on the Rule of Law, (iii) Climate Change and Disaster Resilience, (iv) Strengthening Foundation for Sustainable and resilient Economic Development, and (v) People-to-people Exchanges and Human Resource Development.

Adding on, Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca thanked the Government of Japan for their enormous support and contributions toward Fiji’s social and economic stability that had been negatively affected by COVID-19. The financial support provided, assisted the Fijian Government to implement economic, fiscal and health countermeasures and improve public financial management, policy-making function and business/investment climate.

Furthermore, Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca conveyed sincerest condolences on behalf of the Fijian Government and the people of Fiji, on the untimely demise of former Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency, Mr Shinzo Abe on 8th July 2022.

In response, Vice-Minister Mori thanked Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca for the opportunity to meet and discuss opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. He further stressed on Japan’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Rule of Law and emphasized on how proactively Japan promotes the importance of maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region.

In closing, Ambassador-Designate Waqabaca thanked Vice-Minister Mori for receiving him and for the opportunity to be engaged in a frank discussion on key areas of importance to both parties.

End.