Japan’s Foreign Minister’s visit to Fiji
JAPAN’S Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, recently visited Fiji. Mr Hayashi was the second Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Fiji recently, following the historic visit of the former Japanese Foreign Minister, Kono Taro in 2019, which marked the first visit to Fiji by a Japanese Foreign Minister in over 32 years.
During his first official visit to Fiji and the region, Minister Hayashi met the Fijian Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Voreqe Bainimarama.
The bilateral meeting provided an opportunity to discuss current areas of partnership and areas of future cooperation between Fiji and Japan.
Minister Hayashi also visited the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services Centre (FPBS).
Minister Hayashi’s visit to Fiji signified the strengthened bilateral relations between Fiji and Japan over the years which has been marked by unprecedented commitment and collaboration in areas of mutual interests such as resilient recovery and sustainable socioeconomic development.
Fiji and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1970 and celebrated a 50 year anniversary in 2020.
Bilateral relations have been further strengthened through reciprocal visits at the Ministerial and Senior Officials levels as well as people-to-people exchanges and business ties.
Fiji and Japan continue to share a strong and enduring relationship, with mutual cooperation for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” which reflects the depth, breadth and warmth of partnership that has paved the way for people to people cultural exchanges, empowerment of communities, socio-economic development, trade and connectivity.
Recently, Japan’s assistance to Fiji has extended to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, disaster recovery and rehabilitation and economic revitalisation.
Japan’s development assistance has been based on the vision of promoting a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in the region.