Partners’ Program for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) (Summary)

 
On July 18, Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, hosted the Partners’ Program for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) at the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace. Eight spouses of the leaders from the Pacific Islands Region attended as following in 1. The overview of the events is as following in 2.
 
1 Program participants
　　Mrs. Ancelly Simina, Spouse of the President of the Federated States of Micronesia
　　Mrs. Suluweti Camamaivuna Rabuka, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji
　　Mrs. Valerie Remengesau Whipps, Spouse of the President of the Republic of Palau
　　Mrs. Rachael Marape, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
　　Mrs. Fiona Sovaleni, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
　　Mrs. Tausaga Teo, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Tuvalu
　　Mrs. Marie-Justine Salwai, Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu
　　Mrs. Teua Brotherson, Spouse of the President of the Government of French Polynesia
 
2 Overview of the Partners’ Program
(1) Introduction to Japanese Tea Culture and Experience of Japanese Matcha Tea Whisking
　Commencing at 10:00 a.m, Japanese tea culture was introduced with the cooperation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs (ACA) and ITO EN, LTD. in the tea room of the Japanese Style Annex, the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace. In advance of the holding of the Partners’ Program, Mrs. Kishida stated to the participants that “Japan and the Pacific Islands Region have been cultivating their kizuna (bonds) for many years. I hope that this Partners’ Program will serve as an opportunity for strengthening the kizuna among everyone who has come here today and for you all to get to know Japan better.” Then they enjoyed matcha tea and wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) together. After that, the spouses of the leaders from each country experienced Japanese matcha tea whisking and enjoyed the matcha tea they had whisked themselves.
 
(2) Maki-e Lacquer Experience
　Commencing at 10:45 a.m. with the cooperation of ACA, a maki-e lacquer (sprinkled gold) experience was presented with MUROSE Kazumi, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property “Maki-e Lacquer” (individual recognition as so called “Living National Treasure”) as the instructor. At first, the participants received an explanation from Mr. Murose about urushi and maki-e lacquer. Then they experienced making maki-e lacquer, a traditional craft unique to Japan (an experience of the process of sprinkling gold powder to create designs) with urushi, which is environmentally friendly and has been used for approximately 9,000 years, and on a paperweight decorated with mother of pearl, with which the Pacific countries have an affinity.
　Mrs. Kishida referred to the traditional craft of wajima-nuri lacquerware from Ishikawa Prefecture which was affected by an earthquake in January this year and said: “In this Partner’s Program, I hope you all feel the beauty of the traditional crafts of Japan while also wishing for the recovery of that area.” At the end, the participants enjoyed feeding carp from the hiro-en (low veranda).
 
(3) Luncheon
　Commencing at 12:30 p.m, Mrs. Kishida held a luncheon in a small dining hall in the Main Building of the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace. At the beginning of the luncheon, Mrs. Kishida once again welcomed the spouses of the leaders from each country to Japan and expressed her gratitude for their attendance at the Partners’ Program.
　The luncheon had the “ocean” as its theme, and the participants talked about the cultures, societies, and initiatives that can be taken close to home to realize a sustainable society shared among the participating countries in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by French cuisine by a Japanese chef using fish, which is very familiar to the Pacific Islands Region.
 
(a) Chef: Mr. AIHARA Kaoru
 
(b) Menu
- Amuse-bouche: six types
　Soupe de Poisson / Five-Day-Aged Broad Velvet Shrimp à la Sobrasada / Treasure Box: Scallop Crisp with 　Scallop String / Soft Roe Quiche / Five-Day-Aged Sardine Buckwheat Crêpe / Whitebait and Seaweed Butter
- Cold Appetizer
　One-Week-Aged Fish Tartare / Mushroom Purée / Potato Crisps
- Hot Appetizer
　Turban Shell Bourguignon (Tender Braised Turban Shell with Parsley Butter and Ancient Rice)
- Main dish
　Pan seared Tilefish with its Crispy Scales
　Shellfish Consommé
- Dessert
　Suji-aonori Seaweed Sherbet
 
(c) Provided drinks
(Drink for toast) Shichiken Sparkling Sake Mori-no-kanade (Yamanashi Prefecture)
White Grape drink “Yamanami” (Miyoshi Winery, Hiroshima)

The cultural experiences and luncheon were opportunities to welcome the spouses of the leaders to Japan, deepen their understanding of Japanese culture, and deepen the friendship and bonds among the participating spouses of the leaders.