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Press Release
The FSM Bids Farewell to H.E. Hidenobu Sobashima, Ambassador of Japan; “Thank you for your friendship and for strengthening our FSM-Japan Kizuna,” President Panuelo said
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On October 28th, 2021, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—attended, alongside his Cabinet, the farewell ceremony for His Excellency Hidenobu Sobashima, Ambassador of Japan to the FSM. Throughout his service, Ambassador Sobashima has strengthened the FSM-Japan Kizuna (special bond), and has shown the FSM that which it seeks: peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity.
“I wish to publicly state, on behalf of the People and Government of the FSM, and on my personal behalf, our appreciation to Ambassador Sobashima for his service. Thank you for your friendship and for strengthening our FSM-Japan Kizuna,” President Panuelo said in a statement following the farewell ceremony.
President Panuelo’s address to Ambassador Sobashima, as delivered at the farewell ceremony, is below.
Kaselehlie Maingko, Kobanwa, and Good Evening to you all. It is indeed an honor and pleasure to be given this opportunity to represent the People and the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia to attend this farewell reception honoring a close friend of the FSM, H.E. Hidenobu Sobashima, whose service in our country has concluded. We gather here tonight with mixed feelings, as we reflect on the FSM-Japan Kizuna or Special Bond, the many accomplishments Ambassador Sobashima has made to strengthen that Kizuna, and collectively wish our friend all the best as he journeys to the next chapter of his life.
Mr. Ambassador, two years have passed since you were appointed by your esteemed government to your assignment to the FSM. Our Nation was well aware of your accomplishments before your arrival in the FSM through your service in improving Japan’s relations with Zambia, and we were excited for your arrival, as we knew Japan was sending one of its most capable public servants.
I am confident, Ambassador, that your two-year stint with my country has endeared you to both our Government and People. As a demonstration of this confidence and endearment, I would like to acknowledge some of the efforts and contributions that you have made, personally and professionally, to the development and advancement of FSM-Japan relations.
During your first courtesy call with me after your presentation of credentials, we spoke on many issues, one of them being my invitation to the enthronement of the new Reiwa Emperor of Japan in November 2019. The visit remains a highlight in my tenure as the President of the FSM, to witness a tradition that has been kept sacred throughout Japan’s history, and whose tradition and importance has been passed from one generation to another. I want to thank you for the effort in putting together that memorable and historical visit, which coincided with a meeting with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Several weeks later, in large part due to your effort, I visited Japan again for more in-depth discussions with the Japanese Government. Amongst the various outcomes, I assured Japan, as I assure Japan again today, that the FSM fully supports Japan’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council; that the FSM joins Japan in seeking to ensure a Free & Open Indo-Pacific; and that the FSM views Japan as one of our closest friends and allies. I say again today what I told former Prime Minister Abe in 2019: the FSM will always be on Japan’s side, particularly when it comes to upholding the rule of law, promoting democratic values, and strengthening maritime security.
Ambassador, when the FSM became aware of the COVID-19 Pandemic and first took action to implement our Declaration of Public Health Emergency on January 31st, 2020, I asked if Japan would join our COVID-19 Task Force so that our Government would be as informed as possible on how other countries have been handling the Pandemic. Words cannot express the enormous gratitude we have for your constant presence at those meetings, where you rightfully earned the reputation for being highly reliable, highly informative, and a wonderful partner. Your presence in our Task Force meetings has been priceless.
Additionally, Japan has, through your leadership, has provided the FSM nearly four million dollars of COVID-19-related assistance, which has taken the form of grants, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment.
Ambassador, the FSM is grateful for your leadership, and for Japan’s generous assistance, in so many other areas in our development. We are grateful for Japan’s funding assistance to the College of Micronesia’s Fisheries & Maritime Institute facility project. We are grateful for Japan’s support in infrastructure, from large-scale projects such as at Pohnpei State’s port, to sports facilities across our four states, as well as support to local community groups and non-governmental organizations.
In particular, I would like to thank you, Ambassador, and Japan, for the ongoing partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Association or JICA. JICA Volunteers directly contribute to our Nation’s development, be it in the form of teaching mathematics at our elementary schools, or in organizing sports activities for our youth.
Ambassador, I also wish to recognize Japan’s successful hosting of the PALM-9 Summit this summer. I appreciate that two of the major issues we discussed at the PALM-9, such as the ALPS Treated Water from Fukushima, and World War 2-related oil leakage in Chuuk Lagoon, are politically sensitive, and I thank you and Japan for taking our concerns seriously. The recent signing of the Contract Agreement between the Embassy of Japan and Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) is a demonstration of Japan’s commitment to the environment, and it is especially welcoming to see Japan partner together with Australia on this important issue.
Before concluding my remarks, let me also take this opportunity to thank your esteemed Government, through you, for the dedicated presence of your Embassy in the FSM, and your hardworking staff. I appreciate very much the work that generations of Embassy staff have done in cultivating our Kizuna, including the existing staff under your leadership.
Finally, Ambassador, I want to close with these parting words—As you know very well, our Kizuna is based on shared values, and the relationship between the FSM and Japan is one of our most dear and important. It is through these close ties that I kindly ask of you, Ambassador, that, when you return to Japan, and take up your next assignment, that you continue to promote our relations as a former Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, as a Goodwill Ambassador of my country to your country and people. I wish you the best in your future endeavours, and I hope you and Madam will be able to visit us in the future. You will always have a second home here in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Kalahngan, Kinisou Chapur, Kamagar, Kulo, and Arigatou Gozaimashita.
