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PUBLIC LECTURE BY AMBASSADOR H.E. MR. YUTAKA YOSHIZAWA
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, 27 OCTOBER 2010

 

Dr. Esther Williams, Deputy Vice Chancellor of USP,

Thank you for your kind introduction.

Distinguished Guests,
Members of Academia,
Ladies & Gentlemen,

Good Evening,

           As introduced just now, my name is Yutaka Yoshizawa. I am Ambassador of Japan to Fiji. While I am stationed in Fiji, I cover five countries of the pacific region, namely Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

           I am very glad to be given the opportunity to speak to you tonight. I intend to cover two topics in my initial presentation. First of all, I will explain Japan’s interactions with Pacific Island Countries.  In that context, I will touch upon the PALM (PAcific islands Leaders Meeting) process in general and, more specifically, PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting, which was held on 16th of October 2010, or little over ten days ago, in Tokyo, to which I myself attended. Secondly, I will explain Japan’s relationship with Fiji.

I will try to be as brief as possible in my initial presentation, so that I can answer your questions later, both on contents of my initial presentation as well as on any other issues in which you may have interest, such as Japan’s economic situations and Japan’s relations with countries other than Pacific Island Countries.

           Today, I have distributed some documents on the PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting to which I have mentioned just a while ago, such as ‘Chair’s Summary’ and ‘Overview and Outcome’, which you may find useful when I speak on that subject.

           Now I shall explain Japan’s relationship with Pacific Island Countries.  Japan considers its relationship with Pacific Island Countries very important and has strengthened partnership with these countries over the years. Key-word here is Equal Partnership.

           More than twenty years ago, in 1987, then Japanese Foreign Minister Kuranari visited three Pacific Island Countries, namely Fiji, PNG and Vanuatu. On that occasion, then Foreign Minister Kuranari announced the ‘Kuranari Doctrine’ for Japan’s Partnership with Pacific Island Countries, which includes the following five principles, namely a) respect for independence and self-help, b) support for regional cooperation, c) ensuring political stability, d) economic cooperation for development and e) promoting People-to-People exchange. I believe that these principles are still valid even today.

           Since 1997, Japan has been hosting Japan-Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting or PALM, every three years. These PALM meetings have been participated by the Prime Minister of Japan and leaders of PIF member countries as well as the Secretary-General of the PIF Secretariat.  In May of 2009, the Fifth Japan-Pacific Island Leaders Meeting or PALM 5 was held in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan.

           At PALM 5, ‘We’re Islanders Declaration’ was adopted, in which Pacific Leaders welcomed the fact that Japan expressed its intention to provide 50 billion Japanese yen worth of assistance to the Pacific region, including 6.8 billion Japanese Yen Fund to be administered by the PIF Secretariat and to be used for environment related projects. At PALM 5, Japan highlighted three priorities in extending support to the Pacific region, namely, a) coping with environmental challenges including climate change, b) ensuring human security and overcoming vulnerability faced by Pacific Island countries and c) promoting Kizuna Plan on People-to-People exchange.

           On 16th October 2010, or little over ten days ago, PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting was held in Tokyo, in order to review the implementation of outcome of PALM 5 and to consider issues to be discussed at PALM 6 to be held in 2012.  This meeting was the first attempt in the PALM process, for ministers to meet in between the Leaders Meting to be held every three years.  This time, the meeting was chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara and joined by Prime Minister Natapei of Vanuatu, current Forum Chair and Deputy Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and other senior officials from all 16 PIF countries as well as the Secretary-General of PIF Secretariat.

           At the PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting, Foreign Minister Maehara explained that Japan has already provided assistance amounting to 32.3 billion Japanese yen out of 50 billion Japanese yen pledged at PALM 5 in 2009, in areas such as environment, climate change, health and education. This includes 6.8 billion yen worth of Pacific Environmental Community Fund or PEC Fund to be administered by the PIF Secretariat and to be used for environment related projects in Pacific Island Countries.

           The Japanese side also explained that, while Japan announced youth exchanges of more than 1000 people in three years at PALM 5, some 700 JICA volunteers and other youth exchange have already been implemented since PALM 5.

           The Japanese side also highlighted the fact that, at the UN Millennium Development Goal Summit held on from 20th to 22nd of September 2010 in New York, Prime Minister Kan of Japan announced ‘Kan Commitment’, in which Japan expressed its intention to globally provide 5 billion US dollars in the area of education and 3.5 billion US dollars in the area of health over 5 years beginning 2011.

           Foreign Minister Maehara also explained that Japan sent 7 election monitors to the recent general election in the Solomon Islands and contributed 100,000 US dollars in support of that election.

           At the PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting, Foreign Minister Maehara explained four points to be worked upon towards next PALM leaders meeting or PALM 6. First of all, he expressed Japan’s intention to reinvigorate high-level/political level visits from Japan to Pacific Island Countries. Secondly, he explained that Japan will continue to provide economic assistance to Pacific Island Countries in areas most effective to their development. Thirdly, he stressed Japan’s readiness to cooperate with Pacific Island Countries in addressing climate change, fully taking into account their vulnerability. Fourthly, he highlighted Japan’s intention to enhance People-to-People exchange. In doing so, he mentioned to the possibility of expanding the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program to Pacific Island Countries. In the JET Program, Japan invites young people from overseas as teaching assistants for language education at secondary schools.

 Foreign Minister Maehara also announced that next PALM leaders meeting or PALM 6 will be held on 25th and 26th of May 2012 in Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan.

Now, I wish to turn to Japan’s relationship with Fiji. This year is the 40th anniversary of Fiji’s independence but also marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and Fiji. In celebration of Fiji’s 40th anniversary of independence, Prime Minister of Kan of Japan, on 8th October 2010, sent a message to Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama and reiterated Japan’s readiness to support Fiji’s return to democracy.

The situation in Fiji was also discussed at the PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting. In the ‘Chairman’s Summary’ of that meeting, it is stated that Ministers would pay their closest attention to steps taken and being taken by Fiji. In this connection, I wish to highlight the fact that Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Kubuabola was also present at PALM Ministerial Interim Meeting.

Over these 40 years, Japan and Fiji have developed very close economic relations. In 2009, Fiji’s Exports to Japan amounted some 63.9 million Fijian dollars, and imports from Japan reached some 81.8 million Fijian dollars. Some 15,000 Japanese visited Fiji in 2009. Japanese mining firms are currently engaged in exploration of copper in Namosi area together with an Australian mining company. If that leads to a commercial production, Fiji’s exports to Japan will be substantially increased.

Japan’s development assistance to Fiji is also substantial. Currently, JICA is helping Lautoka and other municipal authorities in waste management. Key word here is 3Rs. That means Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. JICA also recently launched initiatives for community preparedness for river floods and other disasters in the Ba River Basin. Japan’s assistance in the establishment of USP’s ICT Center through Fiji’s Government is well known to those closely associated with USP. Also, some 41 JICA expert and volunteers are currently working in Fiji in various areas.

One should not forget that, by now, some 118 Fiji nationals have studied in Japan under the Japanese Government Scholarship Program, including 23 who are currently studying in Japan.

In relation to the situation in Fiji, I wish to reiterate that Japan hopes for an early return to democratic rule in Fiji but that Japan will continue to engage in Fiji and encourage Fiji for its endeavor to return to democracy.

I wish to finish my initial presentation now and invite questions from the floor. Thank you for your attention.