BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Ambassador of Japan to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki, reaffirms the nearly 50 years of diplomatic relationship with the Solomon Islands, aiming to enhance more economic and development cooperation in the future.
Speaking at the Japanese Emperor’s 64th Birthday Celebration Reception held at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara on Thursday 22, February, His Excellency Yoshiaki noted that both countries have worked tirelessly to strengthen their ties over time.
“Japan and the Solomon Islands have developed and established good diplomatic relations since the independence of the Solomon Islands on July 7, 1978. Two months later, on September 25, 1978, in the United Nations General Assembly General Debate, Foreign Minister Hirovuki Sonoda, in his heartfelt statement, welcomed the Solomon Islands, a friend of Japan in the South Pacific, to the United Nations and said that Japan hopes to deepen cooperation with the Solomon Islands both inside and outside of the United Nations.
“In a few years, it will be half a century since Japan and the Solomon Islands have established diplomatic relations.
“I would like to say that Japan and the Solomon Islands have made untiring efforts to develop our relationship, and Japan will continue to make efforts as we have in the future,” His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki said.
His Excellency Yoshiaki recalled that in March, a month after last year’s 2023 Emperor’s Birthday Reception, Foreign Minister Hayashi visited the Solomon Islands and met with Prime Minister Sogavare and Foreign Minister Manele to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and global issues.
“The first visit to the Solomon Islands by a Japanese Foreign Minister has underlined the growing importance of the bilateral relationship. In August, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Shiranui paid a goodwill visit to the port of Honiara.
“In November, Deputy Foreign Minister Horii also visited the Solomon Islands and met Manele and key Solomon Islands ministers to promote bilateral understanding,” he said.
His Excellency Yoshiaki also highlighted the event to mark the opening of Honiara International Airport in March and the Kukum Highway, which links to the Pacific Games Sport Center, as Japan’s contribution to the games in November last year.
“These two Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) projects are the Japanese government’s contribution to the Pacific Games. We are confident that the upgraded airport and highway will make a significant contribution to the future development of the Solomon Islands,’’ he said.
He added that other activities Japan assisted the Solomon Islands with last year were the provision of training for RSIPF EOD and landing craft to the Ministry of Police and National Security, and the transportation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and UXO-clearance equipment from Western Province to Hell Point in Honiara.
He said that the Embassy of Japan in Honiara has provided classrooms, water supply systems, and clinics through the Grassroots Human Security Grant Assistance for many years.
“In April, I visited Malaita to attend the handover ceremony of ‘the project for the construction of the Aimela Early Childhood Classroom Building. I also visited the Fataleka community, where the ‘project for the hydropower plan and power transmission facility is being implemented. I also visited Isabel, Makira, and Choiseul.
“From these visits, I realized that while the Solomon Islands are blessed with an abundance of nature and natural resources, there are also many challenges to developing the economy. Japan not only helps build infrastructure but also sends experts, provides necessary equipment’s technical education, and trains local people to address their challenges through enhancing those countries’ ownership,’’ His Excellency Yoshiaki said.
He said that the Embassy’s focus in the Solomon Islands is on initiatives to empower rural communities, where more than 80% of Solomon Islanders live, to realize sustainable development.
“The key to these projects is the sustainable development of the three pillars of Solomon’s industry, agriculture, forestry, and fishing, and how they can be realistically and steadily developed under the conditions in which Solomon currently finds itself.
“In addition to these steady, incremental projects, infrastructure as a framework for industrial development of society and industries will lead to the growth of the private sector as a driving force of development but without entailing a negative impact on society through a deliberate and meticulous strategy,’’ His Excellency Yoshiaki said.
