President Suranga S. Whipps meets with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida –

On July 17, during his visit to Japan for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10), President Surangel S. Whipps held a Japan-Palau Summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The meeting began at 9:45 a.m. and lasted approximately 20 minutes. A summary of the meeting is as follows:

1. Prime Minister Kishida expressed his hope at PALM 10 to work with President Whipps to strengthen the “Kizuna” (bonds of friendship) between Japan and the Pacific Island Countries, to discuss cooperative initiatives that are consistent with the “Blue Pacific Continental Strategy 2050,” and to use the meeting as an opportunity to convey the shared direction of Japan and the Pacific Island Countries to both domestic and overseas audiences.

• Prime Minister Kishida stated that charter flights to Palau will begin operating around March 2025. He also conveyed Japan’s decision to support the Port Bridge Reconstruction Project and the Savings Bond Program. In addition, as Palau plans to expand the fishing zone around its waters, the Prime Minister expressed Japan’s interest in conducting an investigation to support the development of Palau’s fisheries, including the Ngatpang Fishing Port. President Whipps expressed his gratitude for Japan’s sincere cooperation.

• Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated wastewater into the ocean, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his deep gratitude to President Whipps for his confidence in Japan’s safety measures both at home and abroad. Japan reiterated its determination to ensure safety, and President Whipps reiterated his confidence in Japan’s efforts.

• On other topics, the two leaders also had a candid exchange of views on various regional issues. Prime Minister Kishida expressed Japan’s intention to strengthen telecommunications networks by opening up the Radio Access Network (RAN) and to cooperate in cyber defense exercises to enhance Palau’s cybersecurity resilience. President Whipps appreciated these initiatives.

President Whips and Prime Minister Kishida had a productive meeting with commitments to cooperate with each other, and both leaders expressed optimism about future cooperation to advance bilateral relations and regional stability.

The meeting commemorated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries and reaffirmed our enduring friendship and our shared commitment to promoting future cooperation and prosperity.

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