On Tuesday, May 22, commencing at 5:50 p.m., Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held summit meetings with H.E. Mr. Emanuel Manny Mori, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, and Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, respectively, who are in Japan for the 6th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM6). An overview of the meetings is as follows. In each of the meetings, Prime Minister Noda expressed his gratitude for the support and sympathy Japan received at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

1. President Mori of the Federated States of Micronesia (5:50-5:59 p.m.)
   
   (1) At the start of the meeting, President Mori presented Prime Minister Noda with two nuun (traditional ropes) made out of coconut fiber, and after tying the ropes together stated that he hopes to strengthen the "kizuna" ("bonds" in English) between Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia in the same way. Prime Minister Noda welcomed President Mori's visit to Japan, and said he hopes to further strengthen Japan's amicable relations with Micronesia, with which it also enjoys deep ties historically.
   
   (2) Prime Minister Noda said he hopes a commemorative project that will be implemented alongside an extension of the runway at Pohnpei International Airport, which has been achieved as a result of Japan's official development assistance (ODA), will lead to greater bilateral exchanges. President Mori expressed deep gratitude for Japan's support thus far in areas such as climate change and infrastructure, in addition to its support on the Pohnpei Airport runway extension.
   
   (3) Prime Minister Noda said he is looking forward to holding further meaningful exchanges of views in Okinawa, and President Mori said he is scheduled to make a personal statement on the importance of "kizuna" ("bonds" in English).
   
   
2. President Toribiong of Palau (6:01- 6:10 p.m.)
   
   (1) Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda welcomed President Toribiong to Japan and stated that he hopes that the four electric generators that Japan donated to Palau in order to respond to the recent power shortages there will help to resolve this problem. President Toribiong expressed his deep gratitude for Japan's support to date.
   
   (2) President Toribiong stated that Palau is visited by many Japanese tourists, and it was symbolic that last year the 100,000th tourist was Japanese. President Toribiong added that Palau is geographically the closest to Japan among the Pacific island states, and he wants Japan to regard Palau as Japan's "ally". In response, Prime Minister Noda commented that he intends to make an effort to strengthen the friendly relations between the two nations.
   
   (3) Prime Minister Noda noted that he is looking forward to being able to continue to have a meaningful exchange of opinions in Okinawa, and President Toribiong in turn commented that the islands summit initiative in Japan is garnering a great deal of praise.
   
   
3. Prime Minister Tuilaepa of Samoa (6:12 - 6:21 p.m.)
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda welcomed the Prime Minister of Samoa, which is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its independence this year, expressing his congratulations. Prime Minister Noda commented that he hopes relations between the two countries will be further strengthened through the opening of a Japanese Embassy in Samoa, which is scheduled for January of next year. Prime Minister Tuilaepa responded by saying that he welcomes the establishment of the Japanese Embassy in Samoa.
   
   (2) Prime Minister Tuilaepa stated that he hopes to strengthen bilateral relations through the ambassadors of the two countries in addition to multilateral fora such as the United Nations. Prime Minister Tuilaepa also expressed his deep gratitude for Japan's support in the areas of climate change, electric power, and education.
   
   (3) Prime Minister Noda stated that he is looking forward to being able to continue to have a meaningful exchange of opinions in Okinawa, and Prime Minister Tuilaepa in turn commented that at the Summit he intends to deliver a statement with regard to responding to natural disasters, in light of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Samoa's experience of a large tsunami three years ago.