Reverend Siaosi Salesulu
Afioga i le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II
ma lau Masiofo
Member of the Council of Deputies
Cabinet Ministers,
Members of Parliament & the Judiciary
Excellency Ambassador Keisuke Senta
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Talofa and a good evening to you all.
It is an honour for me to join you at this evening’s reception to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between Samoa and Japan. Such a milestone reinforces the
mutual and cordial bilateral relations that have remained steadfast
throughout the years despite the unpredictability of the global landscape
and events.
As part of the commemoration of our 50th anniversary of diplomatic
relations, Samoa hosted in January a high-level parliamentarian
delegation visit led by Honourable Endo Toshiaki a senior Liberal
Democratic Party (LDP) Parliamentarian.
Since the establishment of our diplomatic relations, our bilateral
relations have been cordial and underpinned by mutual respect over the

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years. Our two countries have collaborated on mutual endeavours to
obtain development and opportunities for progress and Samoa commits
to continuing this meaningful partnership.

The JICA volunteer programme in Samoa is an important facet of
our relationship. which has benefitted our communities. The past five
decades have seen great strides in our bilateral relations and support to
address the priority needs of Samoa as outlined in our Pathway for the
Development of Samoa. Similarly we have benefited from
Japan’s annual training programs in various fields as well as
through student exchange programs.

We also note with appreciation the strong engagement of the
government of Japan in the Pacific region through the Pacific Islands
Leaders Meeting (PALM) mechanism in which various development
cooperation initiatives are delivered bilaterally. The latest development
cooperation is the delivery of the Lady Naomi IV in November 2022
enabled under the PALM 8. Similarly we received delivery in June of the
TILAFAIGA patrol boat to support the Samoa Police in their maritime
surveillance and law enforcement programme. This shows Japan’s
commitment to our partnership for maritime security.

We continue to provide support to Japan’s candidates through
elections on governance boards and in key positions of various
intergovernmental organizations, Our two countries have a shared
interest and support in sports development and elite sports. We
acknowledge Japan’s support in previous hosting of rugby teams from

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Samoa at the Yamagata Prefecture for the Olympic Games as well as the
Rugby World Cup tournament.

We look forward to the continuation of the cordial bilateral relations
and partnership between Samoa and Japan for the betterment of our two
countries and our peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen, before I conclude my remarks; I would like
to welcome and acknowledge the Japanese musical group, Wadaiko Rindo
who will be performing for us tonight. I understand they have performed
for some schools yesterday and the day before and I look forward with
much anticipation to their performance.

Soifua ma ia manuia.