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/

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. 

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)

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