Prime Minister Rabuka’s Site Visit to NARO and Fiji – Japan Key Engagements

/in /by

The Hon. Sitiveni L. Rabuka, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and External Trade, Civil Service and Public Enterprises, and delegation undertook a site visit to the National Agriculture Food Research Organization (NARO) in Tsukuba Science City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

(Courtesy of the Fiji Government – Hon. Prime Minister Rabuka and delegation in NARO, Tsukuba)

The Prime Minister’s site visit included a briefing on Japan’s cutting-edge agricultural innovation and research initiatives. The visit provided an opportunity to explore avenues for enhanced agricultural cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity building to support Fiji’s food security and climate-resilient agriculture priorities.

As Japan’s premier institution for agricultural innovation and food science, NARO conducts advanced research in crop and livestock breeding, food safety, and environmental sustainability. NARO collaborates closely with academic institutions, such as the University of Tsukuba, through specialized graduate programs that focus on areas like ICT-supported farming and genetic resource preservation and hosts an annual exhibition on agriculture research and innovation, underscoring NARO’s commitment to bridging scientific research with societal needs, ensuring Japan’s agricultural sector remains innovative, sustainable, and globally competitive.

 Prime Minister Rabuka also held a meeting with Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, and discussed ongoing collaboration, humanitarian initiatives, and opportunities to further strengthen partnerships in areas of shared development interests.

The Fiji delegation was later hosted to a luncheon at the Fiji Embassy Tokyo (FET), joined by H.E. Ambassador Rokuichiro Michii and his Spouse, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. The engagement provided a valuable platform for networking and for deepening cooperation across trade, investment, socio-economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. These agencies have been particularly supportive for Fiji in the lead-up to, during, and following Fiji’s participation at the recently concluded 2025 Osaka Expo in the Kansai region.

End.

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji

TOKYO

13/11/2025