Japan is committed to strengthening its relationships with Pacific Island nations following the outcomes of the recent 10th Pacific Leaders Meeting, according to Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shimada Tomoaki. His comments came during a courtesy visit from Rhonda Tiakia Tomailuga, a member of the Niue Legislative Assembly, who is in Japan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shimada highlighted the importance of the ongoing exchanges between Japan and Niue. He noted that people-to-people interactions have continued to thrive since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which marks its 10th anniversary in 2025.
Following the discussions held during PALM 10 in July 2024, Shimada assured that Japan would pursue concrete initiatives to support the needs of Pacific Island countries. These initiatives will be tailored to address the unique challenges faced by these nations.
Emphasizing Japan’s commitment, he mentioned the country’s contributions to the Pacific Resilience Facility through the Pacific Islands Forum. Shimada reiterated Japan’s dedication to working collaboratively with Pacific Island countries on issues such as climate change, described by these nations as “the single greatest existential threat,” along with preserving the marine environment.
Rhonda Tiakia Tomailuga expressed her gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their ongoing cooperation. This positive engagement signals a hopeful future for collaboration in addressing shared challenges within the Pacific region.
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