Meeting with the Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tokyo
HE Ambassador Isikeli Mataitoga on Thursday 5th March 2015 held a meeting with Mr. Ken Okaniwa, Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau and Deputy Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the MOFA Tokyo.
At the outset Ambassador thanked Mr. Okaniwa for the opportunity to discuss bilateral matters that would enhance and deepen Fiji-Japan relation. He informed of the new Japanese Development Cooperation Charter which was approved by the Cabinet on 10th February 2015, and further advised that this is the first time that the Oceania Region and SIDS has been specifically stated in a Japanese Government ODA statement.
The meeting agenda underscored three specific issues in the context of the new Charter:
- South/South Cooperation in Human Resources in specialized areas of priority in Fiji;
- Capacity Building Development Assistance for First Response to Natural Disaster Rehabilitation work; and
- Business support and initial development risk support for Japanese SMEs wishing to do business in Fiji.
Also in charge of promoting sports, Mr Okaniwa discussed of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, stressing how strong the Fijian rugby team is. Ambassador further mentioned of his prefectural visits throughout Japan and indicated Fiji’s willingness for deepening its people-to-people exchanges, sport diplomacy with Japan.
In conclusion Mr. Okaniwa thanked Ambassador for the insightful exchanges and expressed his wish to continue discussion on some of the bilateral concerns. The Ambassador was accompanied by SS Kelera Savu.