Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi returns home from Japan this week with a renewed pledge of bilateral support of Japanese grants for Samoa. This is after Tokyo announced a 200 million yen (T$4.6 million) grant to bolster Samoa’s public service delivery.
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Japanese grants for Samoa: ¥200m grant for medical equipment
The Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, unveiled the aid package during the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (P.A.L.M.) in Iwaki. Abe confirmed the Japanese grants for Samoa would fund medical equipment and other essential public service needs.
He explained that during the meeting, a grant aid to the tune of 200 million yen is conveyed and informed. This is for the provision of medical equipment and other items.
“We had a very meaningful, significant meeting. As a strong partner, Japan is determined to cooperate with you for the development of Samoa,” Abe said.
Abe stressed that joint action would help resolve shared challenges facing Japan and the Pacific region. He explained that Japan, going forward, will strengthen under the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Tuilaepa successfully co-chaired the PALM summit with Abe. He also received Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Tuilaepa receives top imperial honour as both leaders pledge sports ties
The Samoan leader expressed sincere gratitude for Japan’s unwavering support. He noted that both nations share a strong interest in sports, particularly rugby.
Tuilaepa said that he and Abe had discussed the importance of people-to-people exchanges. This include through sports programmes, to promote mutual understanding and appreciation of their two countries and their diversities.
He added that Samoa would also like to work closely with Japan and relevant entities to advance sports development efforts. This will help to better facilitate sporting pathways for Samoan players and athletes.
Tuilaepa revealed that eight rugby students from Samoa will this week undertake sports and cultural exchange programmes with Iwaki City.
Other key discussion areas included strengthening trade and investment pathways. Additionally, there is a need to expand people-to-people exchanges between Samoa and Japan.
“My discussion with the PM will resonate at the regional discussion during the summit. We will certainly provide more substantive information on the outcomes later this week as we progress,” Tuilaepa said.
Meanwhile, the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Programme offers fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue postgraduate study and research at Japanese universities. Administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the 2027 intake targets research students seeking to undertake master’s, doctoral, or non-degree research programmes in Japan.