Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged about ¥900 million in aid to Fiji to redevelop radio broadcasting in the Pacific island state to improve the response to natural disasters.
After meeting Tuesday with Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in Tokyo, Abe also said they agreed to promote bilateral trade and investment, cooperate in pursuing reform of the U.N. Security Council, and join hands in ensuring success of the two-day summit of Japan and Pacific Island states starting Friday in Fukushima Prefecture.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Abe, Bainimarama expressed appreciation for the aid, saying that "as Fijian prime minister, I acknowledge the generous assistance the Japanese government has given to Fiji all these years."
Abe congratulated Bainimarama for being re-elected in a "democratic and peaceful" general election last September. Bainimarama became interim prime after leading a coup in 2006.
Bainimarama said Fuji backs Abe's policy of proactive contributions to regional and global peace based on the principle of international cooperation.
Bainimarama is in Japan to attend the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, making him the first Fijian prime minister to visit the country in 10 years.
The forum also involves Australia, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United States and Vanuatu.