パラオと日本25周年！平和と友愛の軌跡を次世代に伝えたい！！

 

"Alii" Hello.

 

I am Francis Matsutaro, Ambassador of the Republic of Palau, a small island nation located in the Pacific Ocean 3000 kilometers south of Japan.

 

As you may have noticed, my last name "Matsutaro" was originally my first name for my father, and was derived from the Japanese name.

 

 

This year, 2019 is “Tokubetsu” year, The Republic of Palau is celebrating 25 years of independence as well as 25 years of diplomatic relations with Japan. Japan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with The Republic of Palau when Palau became an independent country in 1994.

 

The Embassy of Palau would like to celebrate in Japan with a series of　events to commemorate the long and deep relationship between the two countries and to publish “Commemoration books” in order to ensure “Peace and Friendship” for future generations.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

(* Note): “Tokubetsu” is just one of the over 1,000 Japanese words that have been adopted and are currently used in the Palauan language. “Tokubetsu” means special.

 

 

 

The first connection between Palau and Japan happened in 1820, during the Edo Period, when a ship called the Jinjamaru, heading from Iwate Prefecture to Edo (present-day Tokyo), went off course from Chiba Prefecture to the shores of Palau 38 days later.

 

Palau was under the administration of Spain from 1885 to 1899 and Germany from 1899 to 1914. 

 

Palau was under the administration of Japan, commissioned by the League of Nations, beginning in the year 1914. At the end of WWII, Japanese administration ended, and, in 1947, Palau became a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands which was administered by the United States.

 

 

Palau became an independent country on October 1, 1994, and, soon after that, on November 2, 1994, Palau established diplomatic relations with Japan. This year, 2019, marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Palau and Japan. 

 

We must never forget the tragedy, suffering, and lost lives which occurred in Palau, during the Pacific War, especially on Peleliu Island, where Their Majesties Emperor and Empress Emeritus visited in 2015.  

 

However, for the past 25 years, since the establishment of post-war diplomatic relations, both countries have attained many achievements through diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges.

 

In 2002, with grant aid from Japan, a bridge connecting Koror Island and Babeldaob Island in the Republic of Palau was completed. This “Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge” supports the nation’s infrastructure as a symbol of the friendship between our two countries. 

 

To further deepen this friendship, we have decided to hold this commemorative project to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between Palau and Japan.

 

 

 

 

This year marks the 25th year since the Republic of Palau became independent and established diplomatic relations with Japan. We are planning to hold various commemorative events, including commemorative ceremonies and conferences, a cultural exchange through cooking, an exhibition and seminars at the Setagaya Art Museum, and the publication of a commemorative book.

 

By conveying the history of the relationship between Palau and Japan, which has been nurtured during the last 25 years, as the current Ambassador of Palau to Japan, I would like to ensure that our present emphasis of "Peace and Friendship" towards all as well as towards the earth, itself, will be passed on to the next generation who will create the future.

 

 

 

In this project, with the support from all of you, we will create 1000 copies of a commemoration book to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Palau and Japan.

 

What and how have you been working in the past 25 years?

 

We firmly believe that we can maintain the present peace and deepen the friendship between the two countries by looking closely at its significance and learn.

 

 

The commemoration book will be for the present to: 

 

1.Elementary schools in Palau, Japan's sister city, Olympic host towns

2.People of Palau / Japan partner companies / organizations who have walked together so far

3.Public and private organizations going forward in Palau

4.All of you who supported by crowdfunding

※It depends on the course of the support.

 

This commemoration book is not just for the purpose of providing information as it has been. We hope that the young generation who will lead the future will learn from past events, think with their own mind, and use it as a tool to build relationships and take actions towards "Peace and Friendship".

 

 

 

The memories of Palau and Japan's friendship are in the hearts of those who have interacted.

 

My aunt, who lives in Peleliu, will be 102 years old this year. There are many memories of good old Japan in the memories of her childhood. When she leaves the world, such memories will be lost.

 

We must receive the baton and keep in mind the young generation who will create the future, and we must pass on that memory and the footprint of happiness that our predecessors have walked.

 

 

Also, the infrastructure, education, fishery, agriculture, marine research, environment, climate change, etc. received from Japan for the development of Palau are immeasurable. The two countries must continue to work together to cope with changes in economic and international conditions.

 

As years progress, trees grow, its roots progress deeper into the soil, and strengthen. And just as any tree will, our tree of friendship for people-to-people relations, historical relations, cultural relations, and cooperation between Palau and Japan will grow, progress, and strengthen as well.

 

The Republic of Palau celebrates 25 years of independence, and Palau and Japan celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of a friendly relationship. As a special celebration, I would like to hold a series of events to bring up the "Peace and Friendship" bonsai tree together forever.

 

On behalf of the government of Palau and the people, we thank you for your continuous support, and for your further cooperation in order to reach the 25th anniversary.

 

 

 

In holding the Palau-Japan Happy 25th Anniversary events, we form an Organizing Committee. Among them, we will introduce members.

 

 

■Chairperson

Francis M. Matsutaro / Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan  

 

■Vice-Chairperson

Charles Mitchell / Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan 

 

■Secretariat

Aya Usui / Leadership Coach and Facilitator, Lucky Gakuen LLC 

 

■Auditor 

Masao Kikuchi / Special Advisor to the President on Tourism Promotion 

 

■Members 

Narihiro Tanaka / Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan

Asami Oda / Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan

Yutaka Hirabayashi / Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan

Tsuyoshi Shibamura / Palau Visitors Authority

Marin Endo / Sekaishokudo

Shinji Chibana / Special Assistant/Adviser to Ambassador Matsutaro 

 

■Advisors 

Takashi Mita / Professor at Faculty of International Relations, Kyoto Sangyo University

Takashi Shimakawa / Professor at Faculty of International Tourism Management, Toyo University

Yuka Kawaji / Researcher Japanese Language Education

Akari Konya / Project Lecturer, Ph.D. Ochanomizu University, Program for Leading Graduate Schools

Isami Komeda / Living in Palau

 

■Sponsor

Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan

 

   http://palauembassy.or.jp   

  www.facebook.com/palauembassy.tokyo

＠palauembassy.tokyo       

  https://twitter.com/PalauEmbassy ＃palauembassy

 

 

■Palau & Japan Happy 25th Anniversary Social Media♪♪♪

 

   www.facebook.com/Palau25thAnniversary

 ＠palaujapan25thanniversary

   https://twitter.com/Palau25th #Palau25th