3rd Social Meeting of the Pacific Islanders Club, Tokyo

The 3rd Social Meeting of the Pacific Islanders Club in Tokyo organised by the Pacific Island Centre (PIC) was held on evening of 31 May 2010. The Pacific Islanders Club allows for frank discussions on Pacific Islands issues with the primary intention to strengthen relationship and cooperation with Japanese individuals and officials having friendly, diplomatic and economical contacts in Pacific Island countries. The theme for the evening focused on Fiji beginning with the beating of the Fijian ‘lali’ and display of Fiji promotional items.

Panellists for the evening included former Japan Ambassador to Fiji, HE Mr Masashi Namekawa, Professor Akira Nakamura (Meiji University), Professor Yutaka Higashi (Tomakomai-Komazawa University) and Professor Izumi Kobayashi (Japan Institute for Pacific Studies) as moderator. The panellists notably have strong attachments to Fiji. Dr Kobayashi and Dr Higashi in 1999 translated into Japanese Rt Sir Kamisese Mara’s book Pacific Way.

The program was well attended by Diplomats from Pacific Islands Embassies in Tokyo, Officials from the Oceania Division MOFA Tokyo, JICA (Pacific Division) and company representatives having business interests in the Pacific.

(l-r) Dr Kobayashi, HE Mr Namekawa, Prof Nakamura & Prof Higashi

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