The 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Banquet Hosted by Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Kishida

On July 17, Prime Minister Kishida held the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Banquet at the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace. 

Prime Minister Kishida said in his speech: 

“Your excellencies the leaders of Pacific island countries and region and distinguished spouses, Ladies and gentlemen, I am very delighted to see all of you in person for the first time in six years, just ahead of the tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM), or PALM10, to be held tomorrow, 

For 27 years since the establishment of the PALM in 1997, Japan has constantly worked together with all the Pacific island countries (PICs) to realize a resilient and stable region. 

We have no time to waste in addressing urgent issues such as climate change. As we hold this commemorative 10th PALM under such complicated regional circumstances, I would like to renew my determination to raise the relations between Japan and the PICs and region to a higher level and follow the path together toward the future. 

Let me point out that some of the cars being used for you to move from one place to another during the PALM10 are the ones equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell battery, the first-ever such “Crown” model since Toyota stared to manufacture Crown series in 1955. Japan will continue to contribute to better addressing the urgent issue of climate change shared by all of us through the use of such renewable energy. 

I would also like to reiterate my appreciation for your warm words and support on the occasion of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake that hit Ishikawa Prefecture in January this year. 

Tonight’s dishes will be prepared using a variety of seasonal ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture, including Noto beef, vegetables and condiments. We hope that you will feel the steady progress and signs of recovery of the affected areas through the dishes. 

Now I would like to propose a toast to the success of PALM10. Cheers!”