Later in the afternoon of Friday 25th April 2014, HE Mr Isikeli Mataitoga called on the Chairman of Akita Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Hiroki Miura. Mr Miura is also the President of Akita–Northern Bullets Rugby Football Club, a semi-professional outfit playing in the Japanese Top East League. The Ambassador also mentioned of Governor Satake`s offer and it was agreed that the Embassy will write to the President of Japan Rugby Football union (JRFU), Mr Yoshiro Mori, recommending Akita as a training camp-site for Fiji rugby players to improve their skill-set and build up for the Rugby World Cup tournament in 2019.

The President of Akita–Northern Bullets Rugby Football Club, Mr Hiroki Miura thanked the Ambassador for visiting and for promoting close cooperation ties between Akita and Fiji. He confirmed his full support and assistance on the issues raised, and will also follow-up with JRFU President, Mr Yoshiro Mori. During the encounter the Ambassador also had the opportunity to meet and chat with Fijian rugby players in Akita, especially Mr Setareki Tawake, who signed on for the Northern Bullets as a coach and player, however his role is not only limited to the rugby field. Mr Tawake is also the Rugby Ambassador for the city of Akita and does promotions for the city when it comes to rugby. He also visit schools and conduct training for students who are into rugby.

Also attending the meeting were local media personals who later interviewed Ambassador Mataitoga on the reasons and expectations of his visit to Akita prefecture. Further promising communication and exchanges of detailed information were noted. The Ambassador was accompanied by Second Secretary Kelera Savu, Fiji`s Honorary Consul General in Sendai, Mr Takayuki Moriya and Executive Assistant, Mr Toshiyuki Yamaguchi.

At a meeting with Akita Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, Mr Hiroki Miura

Ambassador Mataitoga with the Akita Northern Bullets – Fijian rugby coach and players

In the afternoon of Friday 25th April 2014, HE Mr Isikeli Mataitoga called on the Mayor of Akita City, Mr Motomu Hozumi. The call was convened for greater cooperation between Fiji and Akita, noting on the promotion of greater social and cultural exchange opportunities for all people and greater expansion of Sports diplomacy. The Ambassador said the visit was an opportunity for him to make a personal connection with the leaders of Akita prefecture, enhancing future ties of exchanges between our people. He said Fiji wants to have stronger ties with all of them.

Mayor Hozumi thanked the Ambassador for visiting and for promoting close cooperation ties between Akita and Fiji. He confirmed his full support and assistance on the issues raised by the Ambassador. Further promising communication and exchanges of detailed information were noted. The Ambassador was accompanied by Second Secretary Kelera Savu, Fiji`s Honorary Consul General in Sendai, Mr Takayuki Moriya and Executive Assistant, Mr Toshiyuki Yamaguchi.

Ambassador Mataitoga with Mayor Hozumi

Fiji’s Non Resident Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines HE Isikeli Mataitoga who is on duty visit to the Philippines, on Monday 18 November 2013 called on HE Mr. Jejomar BINAY, Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines. The meeting took place at the Coconut Palace, the official residence and office of the Vice President. Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Jesus Morente Pineda Jr, the newly Commissioned Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji to the Philippines. Ambassador took the opportunity to brief the Vice President on the latest development in the preparation for election in Fiji by September 2014.

HE Mr Jejomar Binay Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines with Ambassador Mataitoga

HE Mr Binay expressed admiration for the work of the Fijian Soldiers who are part of UN Peacekeeping Operation in the Golan Heights, where they are posted with soldiers from the Philippines Armed Forces. The Vice President was keen to see bilateral relations between Fiji and the Philippines grow in scope and that people-to-people exchange would be the priority, to ensure that our respective peoples understand each other better. He reaffirmed the desire of the Philippine Government to finalize the draft Development Cooperation Agreement, which was proposed by Fiji and submitted through Ambassador Virginia H Benavides, Philippine Non Resident Ambassador to Fiji.

Before calling on the Vice President Binay, Ambassador Mataitoga had held meetings with senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department for National Defence and he also traveled to Laguna Province to meet with Dr Vincent Cruz, the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos and met with Dr Bruce Tolentino, Deputy Director General [Communications and Partnerships] of the International Rice Research Institute [IRRI]. The outcomes of these various meetings and consultations were positive towards their collective desire to share their experience, knowledge and expertise with Fiji Government and its people. There are separate program of bilateral assistance being discussed between Fiji and each of the above departments and agencies in the Philippines, which will contribute significantly towards our specialized manpower training in agriculture, agro-business technology and research.

Former President of the Philippines and Mayor of Manila HE Mr Joseph Estrada with Ambassador Mataitoga at Manila City Hall

Ambassador Mataitoga also called on the former President of the Philippines HE Mr Joseph Estrada, who is now, the Mayor of Metro Manila and apart from paying courtesies, it was useful in discussing city/city cooperation in areas of waste management, greening the city programs etc.

The Honorable Mr Albert Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Honorary Consul Jesus Pineda Jr and Ambassador Mataitoga at the inauguration ceremony.

On 19 November 2013 in a special ceremony hosted by the Honorable Mr Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji Mr Jesus Morente PINEDA Jr, was formally inaugurated, witnessed by Ambassador Mataitoga and close family and business associates of the Honorary Consul. In separate ceremony the same day, Ambassador Mataitoga formally presented to Mr Pineda Jr, his Commission of Appointment as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Fiji.

A normal procedure is that all Fiji Government Officials visiting Tokyo should at least have the courtesy to visit the Fiji Embassy not only to greet the Ambassador and the embassy officials, but also to advise the Head of Government in Japan that they are around and the purpose of their trip or visit. This was revitalized and materialized when the Provincial Administrator Lau, Mr Eliki Masa, Provincial Administrator Tailevu, Mr Pauliasi Nene and Mr Zia Mohammed from the Ministry of Local Government in Fiji presented themselves to His Excellency Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga on Friday, 25 January 2013.

[L-R] Zia Mohammed, Pauliasi Nene, Ambassador Mataitoga, Eliki Masa, Counsellor Korovou and FS Voceaa

The three (3) officers are attending a JICA sponsored workshop on “Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning” in Kobe and the duration of their program is from 6 January to 2 March 2013. Upon completion of the workshop, the trio would be able to utilize whatever they have acquired to enhance their skills and ability especially in strategizing action plans to better the standard of their preparation in times of disaster. Ambassador Mataitoga thanked the group for their courteousness in making time to come and visit the Fiji Embassy and wished them well in their short stay in Japan and that they will take full advantage of the course of studies that they are undertaking.