Japan – Fiji Summit Meeting (Summary)

[Provisional translation]

On July 17, commencing at 10:45 am for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-Fiji Summit Meeting with Hon. Mr. Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, who is visiting Japan to participate in the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10). The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. Prime Minister Kishida stated that at PALM 10, with the cooperation of Prime Minister Rabuka, he wishes to further strengthen the “kizuna” between Japan and the Pacific Island countries, to discuss cooperation aligned with the “2050 Strategy for Blue Pacific Continent,” and to make the meeting an opportunity to communicate domestically as well as internationally the direction that Japan and the Pacific Island countries are taking together.
2. Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the importance of cooperation with Fiji, a key player in the region. He conveyed that Japan was prepared to provide stand-by loan for disaster recovery and rehabilitation, and expressed Japan's intention to support the establishment of a seamless disaster prevention system in Fiji through initiatives such as the demonstration of the disaster risk management reporting service using the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) "Michibiki". (Japan plans to implement these cooperation in disaster prevention, alongside climate change measures, through an offer-based approach.) Prime Minister Rabuka expressed his hope for successful PALM 10, and his gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for Japan’s cooperation, and stated that he looked forward to enhanced cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Kishida mentioned the success of rugby players from Fiji playing in Japan and expressed his desire to strengthen relations in a wide range of fields, including sports exchanges.
3. Regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his deep appreciation to Prime Minister Rabuka for sharing his confidence on safety domestically as well as internationally, and Japan would continue its efforts to ensure safety. Prime Minister Rabuka expressed once again his confidence in Japan’s measures to secure it.
4. Both leaders also exchanged candid views on various regional issues, including the “Zone of Peace” proposed by Prime Minister Rabuka.
5. Taking this opportunity of the bilateral meeting, the following documents were made.

   (1) Minutes of Meeting for the Terms of Reference on the Study for the Deteriorated Bridges Improvement in the Republic of Fiji between Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan and the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services of the Republic of Fiji and the Fiji Roads Authority: to confirm cooperation on Fiji’s deteriorated bridges to study the feasibility of utilizing Japan’s renewal, maintenance and repair technologies to extend the lifespan of the bridges and explore the feasibility of public-private partnership projects.]

   (2) Memorandum of Cooperation in Emergency Warning Satellite System using QZSS between National Space Policy Secretariat, the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan and Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management of the Republic of Fiji and Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Fiji: to confirm cooperation including human resource development, with the aim of future implementation in Fiji, through the demonstration of the disaster crisis management reporting service provided by the QZSS “Michibiki”.

   (3) Memorandum of Cooperation on Trade and Investment Promotion between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Investment Fiji: to confirm cooperation in sharing information on trade and investment policies, regulations, and procedures, as well as in organizing investment missions and seminars to promote business exchanges between the two countries.