Japan, Pacific Island Countries Open Summit in Fukushima

May 19, 2018

Iwaki, Fukushima Pref.- Leaders from Japan and 18 Pacific island countries and territories opened a two-day summit Friday in Iwaki in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Fukushima, hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The leaders are scheduled to hold a plenary meeting on Saturday in which they are expected to adopt a declaration urging Pyongyang to resolve its abduction, nuclear and missile issues going into the U.S.-North Korean summit planned for June 12.

It will be the first time for documents adopted at the summit, known as Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, to mention North Korean issues.

Japan has been inviting leaders from Pacific island countries for talks every three years since 1997. New Caledonia and French Polynesia newly joined the group at this year's summit.

At a dinner hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie, for the Pacific island leaders Friday evening, Abe said Japan will help strengthen further the family-like solidarity of islands connected by vast stretches of sea and boost the partnership to tackle regional issues.

Earlier on Friday, Abe held bilateral talks with seven Pacific island leaders.

In his meeting with Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Abe said he hopes to develop bilateral relations further. Referring to North Korean issues, Remengesau said Palau will continue to support Japan.

Earlier in the day, Abe and Pacific island leaders visited a local high school to attend a memorial ceremony for the victims of the 2011 disasters.

At Saturday's plenary session, the Japanese and Pacific island leaders will discuss ways to strengthen maritime security capabilities to prevent any attempts by North Korea to avert international sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programs.

They will also discuss development assistance for the islands and Abe's initiative to make the Indo-Pacific region free and open.

Abe and Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, cochairs of this year's summit, are scheduled to announce the results of the meeting on Saturday afternoon. Jiji Press