Palikir, Pohnpei- On July 24, 2023, the Japanese Special Envoy, the Honorable Keiji Furuya, and his delegation arrived in Pohnpei and were received by Acting Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, T.H. Ricky F. Cantero, the Ambassador of FSM to Japan, H.E. John Fritz, along with resident Ambassador of Japan to the FSM, H.E. Hisashi Michigami. The Special Envoy Furuya Sensei is visiting the FSM to attend the Joint Inauguration for the President, Vice President, and members of the 23rd Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. The visit this time is Furuya Sensei’s third time representing the Japanese Prime Minister to attend Joint Inauguration Ceremonies in the FSM and serves as the Chairman of the the Japan FSM Friendship League and the Japan Pacific Island Countries Friendship League. On the same day of his arrival, the Special Envoy and his delegation paid a courtesy call on H.E. Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the FSM.
In the courtesy call, the principals expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet once again in Pohnpei. The Special Envoy then highlighted the numerous high-level exchanges which are testaments of mutual trust and the bond of friendship (Kizuna) that will further strengthen the existing relationship between Japan and the FSM. Discussions also touched on important issues of great importance to both countries, mainly Japan’s Official Development Assistance and the ALPS-treated water.
In conclusion, the President thanked Special Envoy Furuya Sensei for taking this important assignment of representing the Prime Minister of Japan, T.H. Fumio Kishida, to the Inauguration and submitted the FSM’s hope to further enhance and improve the already strong Kizuna between the FSM and Japan.
