On Thursday 24th April 2014, a group of10 (Ten) students and 2 teachers from Awashimaura Junior High School in Niigata Prefecture visited the Fiji Embassy to study about Fiji as part of their international studies. They were welcomed by Trade and Commercial Officer Iki Kawabata who at the same time delivered a 45 minutes lectures covering overview of Fiji`s culture, history, nature, custom, industry, food, way of living and tourism.

Prior to their visit to the Fiji Embassy, the group had sent in questionnaires about Fiji Embassy’s work, mission, and difference of both countries, relation with Japan, and the lecture that was given was able to address their enquiries about Fiji.

TCO Iki Kawabata making lecture for Awashimaura Junior High School at the Fiji Embassy

On Wednesday 16th April 2014, a group of 7 (seven) students and 2 teachers from Nakoso Daiichi Junior High School in Iwaki-city visited the Fiji Embassy to study about Fiji as part of their international studies. They were welcomed by Trade and Commercial Officer Iki Kawabata who at the same time delivered a 45 minutes lectures covering overview of Fiji`s culture, history, nature, custom, industry, food, way of living and tourism.

Prior to their visit to the Fiji Embassy, the group had sent in questionnaires about Fiji’s Indigenous Food, relation with Japan, and meaning of Flag and the lecture that was given was able to address their enquiries about Fiji.

Students of Nakoso Daiichi Junior High School at the Fiji Embassy

Marine Diving Fair, which is the largest Diving Show in Asia, was held on 4/5/6 April from 10:00~18:00 at Sunshine City Center, Ikebukuro. Mr. Kyakuno from Aqua Trek Fiji and TCO Iki Kawabata were there operating from the PIC booth delivering Fiji Diving information and also made presentation as well as distributing flyers, posters about diving in Fiji. The number of visitors on each day were as follows.

The Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in Tokyo was once again invited by the President of the Japan Overseas Cooperative Association (JOCA) to attend their 2013 New Year party which was held at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Centre on Saturday, 26 January 2013. Representatives from the Government of Japan, Diplomatic Missions in Tokyo, former JICA volunteers and other private/government organizations attended the event.

(L-R) SS Kelera Wright, Ms Kuniko Inoguchi (House of Councillors) and FS Jovesa Vocea

Delivering the Keynote Address was Ms Kuniko INOGUCHI, the Member of Councillors, National Diet of Japan Representing Chiba Prefecture. The program was very exciting especially when members of the Diplomatic Corp in Japan were able to meet and share stories with former JICA volunteers who had served in their respective countries. Representing the Fiji Embassy were First Secretary Jovesa Vocea and Second Secretary Kelera Wright. About 300 guests attended the event.

(L-R) FS Vocea, Mr Kunio Umeda, DG International Cooperation Bureau and SS Wright

A welcome party for the National Delegation for participating countries in the SWY25 was held on Thursday, 24 January 2013 at the Ana Intercontinental Hotel Ball Room in Minato-ku, Tokyo. There were altogether one-hundred (100) participating youths from ten (10) countries including Fiji, Kingdom of Bahrain, Republic of Chile, Republic of Costa Rica, Republic of Kenya, United Mexican States, New Zealand, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Republic of Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Japan. After twelve (12) days of stay in Japan, the group will embark on “SWY25” with 117 Japanese participating youths and leave Tokyo Port on February 4, 2013 bound for Okinawa, Kobe and Ofunato.

In welcoming the Youths from participating countries, Ms Masako Mori, the Minister of State for Measures for Declining Birthrate who is also the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety as well as holding the portfolio of Minister for State for Gender Equality, encouraged the youths to make use of the opportunity to interact and learn a lot from their Japanese counterpart, especially their culture and food. She also reminded them to bear in mind the objective of the programme and that is “to foster the spirit of international cooperation and competence to practice it as well as to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the youths of Japan and those from various countries around the world”.

Chief Guest, Ms Masako Mori delivering keynote address

Representing the Fiji Embassy in the event were First Secretary Jovesa Vocea, Second Secretary Kelera Wright and PA Sereana Tabuyaqona. It was a good time for them to meet and mix around with the representatives from Fiji and at the same time giving them valuable advises to be good ambassadors of their country during the trip.

FS Vocea, SS Wright and PA Tabuyaqona with Fiji Participants in the SWY25

The international youth exchange program of the Cabinet Office originally started in 1959 when it implemented the “Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission Program” which the then Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke had proposed personally in order to commemorate the marriage of H.M. the Emperor. In 1967, the “Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Program” started as one of the projects to commemorate the Centennial of the Meiji Restoration. The program was then upgraded to the “Ship for World Youth Program” in 1988, and had continued until today.