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Japanese Ambassador Presents Credentials

Japan’s new Ambassador to Fiji, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa, has presented his credentials to His Excellency the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, at Government House this morning.

Mr. Namekawa began his career as an Economist in April 1974 at Japan’s Economic Planning Agency (EPA). Since then he has held significant government positions as Planning Coordinator at the National Land Agency, Councilor for the Minister’s Secretariat at EPA, and Senior Planner of the Planning Bureau of EPA. He was dispatched in 1994 to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand as an expert for long-term economic development planning. He was assigned as the Deputy Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, in 2001, and in 2003, became the Cabinet Councilor and Director for Headquater for Promotion of Special Zones for Structural Reform and Headquater for Regional Revitalization, in the Cabinet Secretariat, before he acquired his diplomatic posting to the Republic of the Fiji Islands.

Ambassador Namekawa has expressed his special feelings and enthusiasm towards the Pacific Islands Region, including the Fiji Islands, and is keen to assist towards the economic and social development of the Pacific Region with his diverse experience. He also said that he would like to further strengthen the existing excellent relationship between Fiji and Japan.