Japan-Palau Summit Meeting (Summary)

On September 22, commencing at 11:40 a.m. local time (on September 23, at 0:40 a.m. JST) for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting New York to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly, held a Japan-Palau summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. Prime Minister Kishida expressed his pleasure to meet President Whipps again in the third meeting this year and his gratitude for the attendance and contribution of President Whipps to the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) held in Tokyo last July. He mentioned that celebrating together the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relation between Japan and Palau, he intended to further strengthen the “kizuna” and “tokubetsu” relationship with Palau. In response, President Whipps mentioned that both countries deeply share friendship, and stated that the PALM 10 had further strengthened the “kizuna” with Pacific Island countries.

2. In addition, Prime Minister Kishida stated that, based on the outcomes of PALM 10, Japan will work together with the region as a whole to achieve the Pacific Islands Forum’s (PIF) “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.” Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude to President Whipps for demonstrating his trust in Japan's efforts regarding the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and also stated that Japan and China recently reached the shared recognition as an important step forward for repealing its bans on import of Japanese aquatic products.

3. Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would like to cooperate such as in the swift realization of the Minato Bridge Replacement which was decided at the summit meeting last July, and in conducting survey to develop Palau's fisheries industry including the Ngatpant Fishing Port. He also mentioned that the Government of Japan will continue to support the expansion of exchanges considering that the chartered flight service is scheduled to operate in March 2025. President Whipps expressed his gratitude for Japan's efforts.

4. On other topics, the two leaders exchanged views on regional issues. On cooperation in the area of cyber, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned that Japan would cooperate to improve resilience through conducting cyber defense exercise with recurrence and strengthening telecommunication network by open Radio Access Network (RAN). In response, President Whipps expressed his appreciation.