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. 

PM Bainimarama Discusses Fiji-Japan Cooperation with Japanese Counterpart

Fiji is firmly committed to advancing shared aspirations with Japan for global and regional peace, development, and prosperity. This was expressed by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama during a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Honourable Kishida Fumio, on the margins of the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in New York today (2/08/22). Prime Minister Bainimarama 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. He said there are no words to describe the loss we feel as a family in the wake of this dissolute act, adding that Fiji joins the people of Japan in honouring the life of an esteemed statesman and visionary leader whose dedication to public life spanned political generations. Discussions at the meeting were also centered on nuclear disarmament. Prime Minister Bainimarama informed his counterpart that Fiji has taken a proactive step by signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in September 2017 and in a further demonstration of our sincere commitment, the Fijian Parliament ratified the Treaty in May 2020. While delving into our bilateral relations, Prime Minister Bainimarama said that Fiji and Japan’s strong ties had further solidified following the visit by Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi to Fiji in May earlier this year. The Prime Minister commended Japan for its continuous support to Fiji’s national development priorities and partnership, which has extended to important areas including climate change, disaster risk management, and COVID-19 response efforts. The Head of the Fijian Government also highlighted that Fiji will continue to work closely with Japan and multilateral financial institutions to seek out much-needed access to development finance and concessional funding to stimulate our economic revitalization. Potential opportunities for increased collaboration in the areas of development and partnerships and the significance of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy and Japan’s engagement with the Pacific were also discussed at the meeting. Prime Minister Bainimarama, at the same time, acknowledged the Japanese Government for its continued commitment to the Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM-9) and to enhancing relations with Pacific Island countries through more dialogue, collaboration, and engagement in the Pacific for further development and economic prosperity. Fiji looks forward to the next PALM meeting to renew and strengthen our partnership. While commenting on the Russia-Ukraine war, Prime Minister Bainimarama said that multilateralism is key and we can only hope that good sense will prevail and that the parties resolve this crisis without any further loss of innocent lives. At the meeting, Prime Minister Bainimarama also raised serious concerns about the potential discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the Pacific from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor, an important issue that Fiji and the Pacific Islands Forum want addressed accordingly.In response, Japan’s Prime Minister thanked his Fijian counterpart for the opportunity to meet and discuss opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Japan also shares similar perspectives on eliminating nuclear weapons and the testing and development of new nuclear weapons. He also assured Fiji and the PIF that consultations will continue with the region’s scientific community on the issue of the potential discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the Pacific.

#FijiNews#FijianGovernment#TeamFiji#Fiji

(Source: Fijian Government Facebook Page, 2 August 2022)

Fukushima Revitalization Reception –Continuing to take on new challenges 

Charge d’Affaires Kelera Savu today participated in the “Fukushima Revitalization Reception -Continuing to take on new challenges”, co-hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Yoshimasa HAYASHI and Governor of Fukushima Prefecture HE Masao UCHIBORI.  The reception showcased Fukushima’s diverse attractiveness including local products such as sake, fruits, and tourist information, as well as Fukushima’s revitalization after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

Photo:

CdA Savu with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Takako SUZUKI

FET Outreach Programme with Oita Tomei High School

Charge d`Affaires, Ms. Kelera Savu, conducted an online presentation about Fiji and SDGs with Oita Tomei High School International Course students today. The presentation also generated meaningful discussions, allowing the students to present as well on the initiatives and programs implemented thus far, focusing on SDG5 and SDG11.

Fiji Time Japan

Today at the Fiji Embassy Tokyo, Charge d’Affaires Kelera Savu held an Audience with the Owner of Fiji Time Japan, Mr. Umlesh Chand.

Fiji Time Japan is the distributor for FMF Breakfast Crackers and Loloma Pure Organic Oil in Japan.

https://fijitimejapan.com/
https://lolomajapan.com/

Consultation with the Oita Chamber of Commerce & Industry President

Charge d`Affaires, Ms. Kelera Savu, on Friday, 1 July 2022, convened a consultation with Oita Chamber of Commerce & Industry President, Mr. Eiji Nakashima, at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo. The consultation generated meaningful discussions on prospects of the business, education, and people-to-people exchanges between Fiji and Oita.

*Photo
(l-r) Mr. Seiyu Abe, Mr Eiji Nakashima, Charge d`Affaires Savu, and Mr Hironori Sano of the Oita Prefecture Board of Education

New Ambassador of the Republic of Palau to Japan

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Palau to Tokyo, HE Mr. Peter Adelbai, presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty The Emperor Naruhito, Emperor of Japan, on Tuesday, 7 June 2022. He is a former Minister Counsellor for the Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Tokyo, and former Ambassador of the Republic of Palau to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2012 to 2013. Ambassador Adelbai, 62, is married and has 2 children.

Ambassador Adelbai with Charge d`Affaires Savu

Funabashi Rotary District 2790 Rotarians Visit the Fiji Embassy

Funabashi Rotary District 2790 Rotarians visited the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday, 29 June 2022. The primary purpose of the visit is to pay courtesies to the Charge d`Affaires, Ms. Kelera Savu, and discuss some of the recent projects that the Rotary Club wishes to exchange with Fiji Rotarians. The Rotarians were also provided with a brief overview of activities pursued at the Embassy, particularly key areas targeted by the Fiji Mission in Japan.

(l-r) Mr. Matsuzawa, Charge d`Affaires Savu, and Mr Kano

Reception for the French National Team – Les Blues

Charge d’Affaires Kelera Savu today attended a Reception for the French National Team – Les Bleus, hosted at the French Ambassador’s Residence. The French National Team tours Japan as part of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2022. They will play against Japan in Aichi on Saturday 2 July, as well as in Tokyo on Saturday, 9 July 2022.

Ticket details: https://ticket-rugby.jp/ticket/summer22-en.jsp

Charge d’Affaires Savu meets with Fiji students

Charge d’Affaires Kelera Savu met with the 3 (three) Fijian students who had just completed their quarantine and were on their way to Oita to study at Oita Tomei High School. The 3 students, namely Mr. Iliesa Senibitu and Mr. Iosefa Qalovi are sponsored by the Oita Tomei HS rugby scholarship, while Mr. Simione Vavaloa is sponsored through the tuition appeal drive manned by Fiji`s Honorary Consul in Hokkaido. CDA Savu encouraged and wished the students the best in their studies.

(l-r) Simione, Iosefa, CDA Savu and Iliesa