U.S., Japan back Australia’s Digicel Pacific purchase
The U.S. and Japan have announced they will back the Australian government’s unprecedented move to fund Telstra’s purchase of the Pacific’s largest telco, stumping up around $150 million (US$100
Japan
Japan’s recycling town: Can it inspire the Pacific?
When the residents of Osaki in southern Japan were first told about new plans for waste management and recycling in their small town, some were unhappy. “They threw cans at us,” said the Assistant Section Chief and
WOTA: A Japanese Solution to Water Shortages?
A Tokyo-based start-up working on small-scale water recycling systems hopes they may help solve water shortages in small island communities. WOTA’s technology is a response to what it describes as a ‘looming
Decarbonising transport: hydrogen fuel is next
While electric vehicles are only just entering Pacific Island markets, Tokyo is working towards an ambitious plan that would see a decarbonised society with net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Increasing the number of
‘If only we had learned from our ancestors’
(Natori, Japan) When a magnitude-9 earthquake hit northern Japan on March 11, 2011, businessman Naomitsu Kakui was driving in Sendai City. The shaking was so intense, he stopped where he was, got out of his car
The Pacific at the UN: climate and Japan wastewater
Now it’s time for U.S. talks The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary General, Henry Puna, says Pacific leaders stood strong at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA77) in New York, raising issues
PNG offers gas field priority to Japan for energy security
Papua New Guinea offered Japanese companies favoured access to new gas field development opportunities and liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing projects in trade talks on Tuesday that focused on energy security, PNG
More sound scientific proof needed on Fukushima water: Pacific leaders
The President of the Federated States of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations last Thursday Japan’s decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Construction begins at Fukushima plant for water release
The construction of facilities for the planned release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea next year from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant began last week, despite opposition from the local fishing
PIFS: Japan assures no discharge of treated wastewater if unsafe
Japan’s plans to discharge treated Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean was the focus of discussions between Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General, Henry Puna and Japan’s Minister for
Japan reaffirms Pacific regional support
Japan, Fiji and Palau share the same concerns over a security pact China recently signed with the Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Sunday as he wrapped up a trip to the two Pacific island
U.S-Solomon Islands bilateral talks a success
On the China-Solomon Islands Security Cooperation, “We have no say on the SI-China agreement. We respect Solomon Islands sovereign decision. There is no misunderstanding,” stated the White House Official.
Pacific Islands in the wake of AUKUS
By Kaliopate Tavola Australia also needs to temper its geopolitics under Indo-Pacific/AUKUS to allow breathing space for PICs to determine their respective China, et al, policies. This would necessarily mean a
Fukushima power reactor: What about risk management?
Concerns over the Fukushima power reactor persist. In early May, former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Dame Meg Taylor, called on Japan to reconsider its decision to release more than
Little light on power sale
By Netani Rika With Fiji caught in the darkness of a descending cloud of COVID-19, its government has pushed through the sale of a large portion of the national energy company to a Japanese consortium. In its initial
IAEA to review and monitor the safety of water release at Fukushima Daiichi
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it will play a “vital role” in monitoring and reviewing Japan’s implementation of its plan to discharge treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
“If it is safe, dump it in Tokyo”
Japan’s Yoshihide Suga has announced a new “Pacific bonds” policy to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Forum Island Countries, as Pacific leaders joined the Japanese Prime Minister on Friday for an online
Rugby sevens pools announced for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The pools for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens competitions have been confirmed as players, teams and fans countdown to the kick-off at Tokyo Stadium on 26 July. The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams have been
Little light on power sale
With Fiji caught in the darkness of a descending cloud of COVID-19, its government has pushed through the sale of a large portion of the national energy company to a Japanese consortium. In its initial announcement, the
Olympics countdown: 101 days and different ways
It’s now 101 days to the long-awaited Tokyo Olympics. The uncertainties and delay in staging of the 2020 Games, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on training, qualification processes and mobility, means
Neighbours: Australia and New Caledonia boost diplomatic and defence ties
Eighty years ago, fearful of Japan, Australia sent a diplomat and a warship to New Caledonia. Today, Australia is mobilising defence and diplomacy against another rising Asian power. On the morning of 19 September 1940,