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Okinawa’s Involvement with the Pacific Islands

1. Okinawa Prefecture and the Pacific Islands

The Pacific island nations have deep ties of friendship with Japan. Many people of Japanese descent live in the Pacific island nations, some of whom have become economic and political leaders, and even and Presidents. In the international community, the Pacific island nations have been supportive of Japanese positions. As island states, the Pacific islands and Okinawa Prefecture have much in common: climate, culture, as well as challenges in waste disposal and economic activity.

Among the many international conferences held in Okinawa, the PALM meetings hold a special place in Okinawa Prefecture, bringing together leaders of island nations that share so many commonalities with Okinawa to discuss amongst ourselves and with related countries the issues that face us all.

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2. Support offered by Okinawa Prefecture towards the Pacific Island Nations

Many support activities are taking place based on past PALM Declarations. Here are some of the technical cooperation efforts undertaken by local organizations in Okinawa through the JICA Okinawa International Centre.

1. Water Resource Conservation and Management Training
   (Okinawa Prefectural Enterprise Bureau)

To transfer the experience and technical expertise Okinawa Prefecture has developed in integrated water resource management, Okinawa Prefectural Enterprise Bureau has accepted waterworks officials from the Pacific Island nations since fiscal year 2010, offering training through an Okinawa-wide support network with the cooperation of local municipalities.

  • Leak Detection using an Acoustic Bar
    Leak Detection using an Acoustic Bar
  • Visiting the Chatan Water Purification Plant and Sea Water Desalination Center
    Visiting the Chatan Water Purification Plant and Sea Water Desalination Center
  • Trainees and Corporate Director Nakata (2011)
    Trainees and Corporate Director Nakata (2011)

2. Waterworks Operation Assistance to the Samoan Water Authority (Miyakojima City Hall)

Using its own experiences to develop the “Miyakojima Model”, Miyakojima City has assisted the Samoan Water Authority in human resource development and organizational strengthening since fiscal year 2010, focusing on the issues Samoa face such as water leakage, water pollution during the rainy season, and water treatment plant operation and management.

3. Cooperation in Establishing a Recycling Business in Vava’u Island, Tonga
   (Naha City Hall, Okinawa Citizens Recycling Movement (NPO))

Taking advantage of the knowhow in Okinawa, Naha City Hall and the Okinawa Citizens Recycling Movement, a non-profit organization, have provided support to Vava’u Island in the Kingdom of Tonga since fiscal year 2010 in the field of sustainable waste management, working towards the establishment of a recycling business using waste recycling.

  • At Vava'u Island’s waste treatment facility
    At Vava'u Island’s waste treatment facility
  • A meeting with Vava'u Island’s nonprofit organization
    A meeting with Vava'u Island’s nonprofit organization
  • Collecting cans for recycling
    Collecting cans for recycling

4. Water Business Study Group
   (Okinawa Employers Association, JICA Okinawa, Miyakojima City Hall)

Okinawa Employers Association, under the joint sponsorship of JICA Okinawa and Miyakojima City Hall, established a study group in 2011 to explore the business potential of the water sector and other fields in the Pacific island nations. In November 2011, a joint study team from the public and private sectors visited Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

  • Water Business Study Group
  • Water Business Study Group
  • Water Business Study Group

5. Abacus Dissemination Activities by Okinawans in the Kingdom of Tonga
   (Ms. Suzuki from Ishigaki City, a JICA volunteer)

In the Kingdom of Tonga, students in grades 3-5 attending government-run schools take a 15 minutes lesson in abacus daily as part of their mathematics classes. Ms. Sakiko Suzuki from Ishigaki City, a JICA junior volunteer currently stationed in Tonga, is working with the Tongan people to conduct abacus training seminars for local teachers, giving classes on abacus teaching methods at teachers colleges, and preparing for and holding abacus competitions.

There are many teachers in Tonga who, for a variety of reasons, are reluctant to teach abacus to their students. Ms. Suzuki believes that knowing the power of the abacus (improves calculation skills, concentration and memory retention) and understanding its necessity will be vital to changing abacus education in Tonga.

  • Ms. Suzuki (Center) working with Tongan teachers to spread the use of the abacus
    Ms. Suzuki (Center) working with Tongan teachers to spread the use of the abacus
  • An abacus competition in Tonga
    An abacus competition in Tonga
  • A Tongan teacher judging the competition
    A Tongan teacher judging the competition
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The 6th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting Okinawa Prefecture Headquarters and Secretariat
8th Floor,Okinawa Prefectural Government Building 1-2-2 Izumizaki, Naha City, 900-8570 JAPAN
Exchange Promotion Division, Department of Tourism, Commerce and Industry
Phone:098-866-2331, Fax:098-866-2765
2012- PALM6. All Rights Reserved.