NEWLY appointed Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, Shigeru Toyama has presented his credentials to Governor General Sir Frank Kabui at the Government House last Friday.
Mr Toyama conveyed cordial greetings from his Majesty the Emperor of Japan with desires to maintain and promote the friendship and goodwill which happily exist between Japan and Solomon Islands.
“It is also my honour to present the Letter of recall of my predecessor, Kenichi Kimiya.
“It is my great pleasure that I have been appointed to serve in your country, located in the Pacific Ocean and with opportunities to improve and to expand excellent relations with Japan in many fields.
“I am determined to do all in my power to fulfil my important missions, in such manner as to merit our Excellency and the people of Solomon Islands will extend your generous understanding and kind cooperation to me in the performance of my duty,” the Japanese ambassador said.
“On behalf of the government and people of Japan, I extend to your excellency my best wishes for your good health and for the progress and prosperity of Solomon Islands,” he added.
Governor General Sir Frank Kabui said it is pleasing to receive and accept the Letter of Credence from His Majesty, Emperor Akihito, appointing Ambassador Extraordinary H.E Toyama with full powers to represent Japan here.
“It is also pleasing for me to receive and accept the Letter of Recall of your predecessor who had served well and recalled.
“Ambassador Kenichi Kimiya, was a great friend of Solomon Islands,” he said.
Sir Kabui in return expressed his best wishes to His Majesty, Emperor Akihito.
“I also wish the Government and the people of Japan good fortune and peace.”
Governor General said friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands has been excellent over the years.
“The bilateral assistance from Japan has been of great benefit to Solomon Islands. We are grateful for it.
“The current Honiara Road Improvement Project is one such example.
“We are sure that the friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands will continue into the future for the benefit of our two countries,” he remarked.
Sir Kabui also highlighted the country’s geographical features.
“Solomon Islands is a combination of many islands, scattered and separated by sea.
“We are small in size but our communities are scattered and diverse in culture.
“Apart from Honiara and Provincial Centres, we live in villages.
“Most of our land is customary land, owned by tribes.
“Only a small percentage of the land is under Government control,” he said adding that this is a challenge.
He remarked that the country will be 40 years old as a sovereign state on 7th July, this year.
“We do have a historical connection to Japan since the Second World War.
“Japanese soldiers had fought and died here.
“In this respect, we are happy to have been part of the Japanese effort to recover the remains of loved ones to be returned to Japan for final rest,” he said.
In the meantime, Sir Kabui said they will continue to look forward to working with the new Ambassador during his term in office.
– Gov’t Communications Unit
