Japan & Samoa Celebrate 49 years of Diplomatic Relations

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 01 MARCH 2022: This year marks 49 years since Japan and Samoa established diplomatic relations and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa joined Japan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Senta Keisuke in celebrating Japan’s National Day in the weekend.

The event was not only to welcome Japan’s Ambassador but a chance for the two countries to reflect on the 49 year journey where Samoa is the second largest recipient of Japan’s development aid.

“Tonight, we reflect on our journey throughout the years and your support of our development needs bilaterally and regionally,” said Fiame.

Japan has assisted Samoa in various developments with the focus on transport, infrastructure, improving basic services in health, education and water sector as well as technical cooperation in the energy, environment and waste sectors.

United in fight against COVI-19
COVID-19 is the latest worldwide challenge and Japan is one of Samoa’s many partners that have stepped to assist Samoa in the mass vaccination campaigns and national readiness plans.

Fiame acknowledged Japan providing over 3 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to the region of which Samoa received 112,000 vaccines.

His Excellency Keisuke pledged his country’s cooperation with the Samoan Government in its effort to address challenges of COVID-19 and to realize its policies, including the promotion of community and social development, under the leadership of the Government.

“In doing so, we will make sure that we pay full respect to the needs and policy ownership of Samoa and its people, and also coordinate with other development partners and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO),” he said.

JICA 50th Anniversary
One of the earliest assistance offered by Japan to Samoa was the establishment of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) currently known as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“Japan has always placed importance on human to human connections and the year 2022 marks the 50^th year since the beginning of JICA volunteer program in Samoa,” he said.

His Excellency noted the importance of Fiame’s New Year message on the Government’s commitment to deliver people-centred priorities and encourage the empowerment of communities, with primary focus on community and social development.

He said Japan highly respects such commitment and is ready to support the initiative.

Ambassador Keisuke with some of the Embassy staff.

Both leaders reference the importance of the Japan-Pacific Bond Policy and the Kizuna Policy launched during the 9 Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) conference last year.

Japan welcomed the Pacific Island Forum’s efforts to strengthen its regionalism as One Blue Pacific and to develop the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy under the Framework for Pacific Regionalism and the Pacific leaders welcomed Japan’s Pacific Bond Policy, KIZUNA policy, to strengthen the bond.

This Pacific Bond KIZUNA Policy is all Japan’s efforts to promote cooperation with Pacific Island countries as equal partners and friends.

To strengthen the PALM partnership and achieve their visions for the region, the PALM Leaders expressed their commitment to working together on five priority areas of cooperation for the next three years.

These priorities are COVID-19 Response and Recovery; Sustainable Oceans based on the Rule of Law; Climate Change and Disaster Resilience; Strengthening Foundation for Sustainable and Resilient Economic Development; and People-to-People Exchange and Human Resource Development.

His Excellency was happy to see that all the priorities are already identified by the Samoan Government in the recently launched “Pathway for the Development of Samoa.”

Prime Minister Fiame toasted the good health of Japan’s Emperor, His Majesty Naruhito and the prosperous partnership between the two countries.