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The Fourth Japan-PIF Summit Meeting Friday, May 26 to Saturday, May 27, 2006 JAPANESE

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Okinawa from May 26 to May 27 in order to attend the Fourth Japan-Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Summit Meeting (PALM 2006) which was held in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. The PALM (abbreviation of Pacific Island Leaders Meeting) is held with the aim of exchanging opinions for the stability and prosperity of the region and further enhancing the partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island Countries. This is the fourth meeting of the Summit. Following the reception ceremony and a photograph session, the opening ceremony was held on the afternoon of May 26 to start the two-day meeting which has four sessions and is co-chaired by Prime Minister Koizumi and Mr. Michael Somare, the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. At the joint press conference after the end of the sessions on May 27, Prime Minister Koizumi announced Japan's assistance programs in response to the Leaders Declaration adopted at the meeting entitled "The Okinawa Partnership for a more robust and prosperous Pacific Region." These programs include the goal of assistance worth a total of 45 billion yen for the next three years, assistance in the development of human resources, and people to people exchanges. After the press conference, Prime Minister Koizumi attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Keiichi Inamine, the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture and left the venue. Prime Minister Koizumi also observed the Pacific Islands Youth Environmental Summit, a program held in Naha City with the participation of Ms. Yuriko Koike, the Minister of the Environment. There Prime Minister Koizumi joined activities with children in Naha City before he set out on his way home. View Video (Available only in Japanese) Real(Narrowband) / Real(Broadband) Windows Media(Narrowband) / Windows Media(Broadband)