Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, for the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) with Japanese Prime Minister Hon. Fumio Kishida from Tuesday 16 July 2024 to Thursday 18 July 2024.

Prime Minister Marape arrived at Henada Airport this morning, 7.20am (local time), accompanied by his wife, Mrs Rachael Marape; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Justin Tkatchenko; and his officials.

The Prime Minister then proceeded straight to the National Diet (Japanese National Parliament) for a group photograph session with other leaders of Pacific Island countries before attending several bilateral and group meetings today.

In the latter part of the day, he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the State Building, as a prelude to the main PALM10 summit.

PM Marape took the first opportunity at the bilateral meeting to thank his Japanese counterpart for Japan’s immediate support to the Mulitaka landslide disaster relief before reaffirming once more Papua New Guinea’s commitment to its bilateral relations with Japan.

He said, “Japan continues to remain a true friend of Papua New Guinea both in good times and bad times. The assistance Japan has given worth over K3 million to assist our people affected by the landslide in Enga Province is timely and highly appreciate.

“Japan has always been with us and continues to honour its commitment to our people. Our trade and bilateral relations continue to grow every year, and we value Japan’s support in funding major transport and communications infrastructure in PNG.

“The people and government of my country truly value Japan’s support to us since 1975 when we established our diplomatic relations as our country became independent.

“Our relationship has become stronger over the 49 years of its existence, and as PNG turns 50 in 2025, our relation will also turn 50 years old,” said Prime Minister Marape as he extended a verbal invitation to the Japanese Prime Minister to visit PNG in September 2025 to join in the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The PALM10 begins today, Tuesday 16 July 2024, with bilateral meetings and continues with the summit-proper on Wednesday 17 July 2024 and Thursday 18 July 2024 before closing that evening.

Leaders and their spouses from Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member countries have started arriving Sunday 14 July with all leaders now in attendance. Either in bilateral meetings or as the collective with Japan, key issues the leaders will be discussing will centre on climate change, trade, fisheries, nuclear waste disposal, security, disaster response and related bilateral and multilateral matters.

A welcome reception for the leaders hosted by Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and his spouse ended the first day today.

Wednesday’s program covers the summit and a banquet at the Akasaka Imperial Palace which will be hosted by the Japanese Prime Minister and his spouse for the Pacific family of nations.

PM Marape’s official delegation includes Minister for Agriculture, Hon. John Boito; Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Jelta Wong; Vice Minister for State-owned Enter- prises, Hon. Raphael Tonpi; and Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu.

Prime Minister Marape returns to Papua New Guinea on Friday, 19 July 2024.