At the recent Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Tokyo, leaders from 18 Pacific island nations and areas, along with Japan, engaged in discussions on cooperation and partnership. The summit, held in Tokyo's Minato Ward, marked the first in-person session in six years and resulted in the adoption of a summit declaration highlighting cooperation in seven key areas, including climate change and security.
During a joint news conference following the meeting, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida underscored the shared values and principles between Japan and the Pacific island nations, particularly emphasizing the opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. This position was seen as a strategic move to counter China's increasing military and economic influence in the region, making cooperation between Japan and the Pacific island nations vital in maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Kishida also outlined specific measures for cooperation over the next three years, including the exchange of more than 6,500 people and the development of human resources to strengthen ties between Japan and the island countries.
In response to climate change concerns, Kishida proposed initiatives to enhance disaster prevention capacity, promote decarbonization efforts, and support the Pacific island countries' own initiatives in this area. Additionally, Japan expressed its willingness to provide assistance in developing submarine cables and cybersecurity measures for the region. The issue of treated radioactive water discharge from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant was also addressed, with Kishida ensuring that Japan will continue to share information and enhance security measures for the Pacific island nations based on scientific evidence.
The Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, held every three years since 1997, plays a crucial role in fostering cooperation and addressing key challenges faced by the region. The strategic importance of the South Pacific region has become more pronounced in recent years, with increasing U.S.-China competition unfolding in this area as China's influence continues to grow.