駐日ミクロネシア連邦大使：ジョン・フリッツの日々前進！

１１月２１日、静岡市で第３回太平洋島嶼国・日本地方自治体ネットワーク(PALM&G)実務者会議が開催されました。

PALM&Gのメンバーである太平洋島嶼国の大使館関係者と各県の代表者、さらにオブザーバーとして外務省・JICA・太平洋諸島センターが参加しました。このPALM&Gは、太平洋島嶼国と日本の地方自治体との絆をより強固なものにし、それぞれの地域の特色を活かして幅広い分野での国際交流を推進するため、２０１８年に発足しました。

保健医療・環境・スポーツ分野を中心とした人材交流や協力事業等を通した、日本地方自治体と太平洋島嶼国との関係強化に向けて、活発な協議が行われました。

Shizuoka, Japan – From November 21 – 22, 2023 Ambassador Fritz and five other Ambassadors and Representatives from Embassies of Pacific Island Countries. Attending Ambassadors and representatives from PICs include FSM, Marshall Islands, Palau, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. From the Japan side prefectures in attendance were Mie, Fukushima, Shizuoka, Hyogo, Yamaguchi, Kochi, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa. Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JICA and Pacific Island Centre.

The meeting was chaired by the Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture and supported by the PICs coordinator and chair FSM. The main purpose of this trip was to participate in the Third PALM & G Local Governors Network Meeting hosted by Shizuoka Prefecture. This meeting provides a chance for Pacific Island Countries to cooperate with Prefectural Governments and strengthen relationships through activities and exchange.

The Pacific Island Countries recognize Japan as a valuable and close developing partner and look forward to continuing frank exchange within the network to further our partnership and expand on new activities, while maintaining the principles of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

The second day excursion included sight-seeing to learn the history and culture of Shizuoka Prefecture. Most notably, the group visited Yaizu Fisheries High School. There, the group was able to see first-hand, how students of high school age are being trained in the fisheries sector. These children are trained in a spectrum of fisheries including, but not limited to, marine sciences, marine cultivation, food sciences and marketing. The group was able to experience virtual simulation of ship driving, used as a practical, safe and effective way to train the students.

東京都および東京都公立大学法人の交流事業で、ミクロネシア短期大学（COM）から９名の学生と教員１名が来日し、大使館を訪問しました。

この交流事業は日本が誇る知識や技術を学び、ミクロネシア連邦の発展に貢献する人材育成と、両国間の学生の友好関係を深めることを目的としています。滞在中は東京都立大学や都立産技高専で授業に参加したり、日本文化を体験しました。この事業は２０１５年から毎年行われており、コロナ禍を経て４年ぶりの再開となりました。

Nine students and one chaperone from the College of Micronesia – FSM (COMFSM) joined the invitational program hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan University.

The purpose of the Program is to develop Micronesian human resources that will contribute to the development of their country by introducing to them knowledge and technology which Japan and Tokyo boast about, and to strengthen friendship ties among Japan, Tokyo, and other countries and regions by offering the visitors student exchanges and other activities at Tokyo.

This program was held every year since 2015 and we are glad to see the resumption of this program since the COVID-19 Pandemic.

新しく就任されたノルウェー王国大使館のKristin Iglum大使閣下がご来館されました。

Ambassador Fritz welcomes courtesy call by H.E Kristin Iglum, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Norway in Japan. 

The Ambassadors exchanged friendly conversation. Ambassador Fritz welcomed Ambassador Iglum warmly to the Embassy for the first time, but also to Japan.

Both parties look favorably towards deepening this relationship and welcomes Ambassador Iglum and Norway to visit the FSM.

The Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia welcomes further partnership with the Embassy of Norway and looks forward to future endeavors.

１１月３日、ミクロネシア連邦は独立３７周年を迎えました。大使館の親しい友人たちや家族と、ささやかなお祝いをしました。

下記のリンクは、グアムで開催されたミクロネシア連邦独立記念日イベントでのウェスリー・W・シミナ大統領のスピーチです。

https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/769-president-wesley-w-simina-independence-day-speech?Itemid=177

Tokyo, Japan – November 3^rd marks the 37^th National Day of the Federated States of Micronesia since declaring independence in 1986. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia hosted a small reception attended by citizens residing in Japan, as well as close friends. The Embassy was glad to invited guests to take part in entertainment and share the stage among one another.

The link below is the speech delivered by His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, delivered at the FSM Independence Day Event hosted in Guam.

https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/769-president-wesley-w-simina-independence-day-speech?Itemid=177

１１月にポンペイ州の在ミクロネシア日本国大使館に着任される籠宮（かごみや）信雄大使ご夫妻とお会いしました。籠宮大使とご家族のミクロネシア連邦での任務のご成功をお祈りするとともに、これから両国間のために共に協力していくことを楽しみにしております。

Ambassador Fritz welcomed H.E. Nobuo Kagomiya, Ambassador of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia, before his departure to Pohnpei, FSM. Also in attendance were Mrs. Kumiko Kagomiya and Mrs. Momoe Fritz.

The Ambassador’s engaged in a very friendly conversation and shared their views on the work they both share. Upon gathering information from friends and colleagues, Ambassador Kagomiya shared that he understands the importance of human relations in the FSM. Ambassador Fritz agreed and further shared the importance of continuing to strengthen our People- to – People Exchange programs in sectors such as health and education. Both sides are glad to see the revival of essential programs after a long pause.

The Embassy wishes Ambassador Kagomiya and family the best of luck during their mission in the FSM and look forward to working together in the future.