Japan and Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and regional cooperation during a summit in Tokyo between Prime Minister Isiba Shigeru and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.
The meeting took place during Marape’s official visit to Japan as a Guest of Expo 2025 Osaka, marking Papua New Guinea’s National Day at the event.
Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed Marape and highlighted the significance of the visit as both countries prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
“I would like to further strengthen relations with Papua New Guinea,” Ishiba said.
Marape expressed appreciation for the hospitality shown during his visit and echoed the desire to expand cooperation.
“I am grateful for the warm welcome and look forward to further developing the relationship between our two countries,” he said.
The leaders reviewed the breadth of bilateral cooperation, with Ishiba noting Japan’s contributions to Papua New Guinea’s development across key sectors such as education, infrastructure, agriculture, and fisheries.
He pointed to the recent signing of agreements on new facilities and training vessels for PNG’s National Fisheries University.
Acknowledging PNG’s cooperation on Japan’s project to recover the remains of war dead, Ishiba said, “Security cooperation has been progressing, and I would like to materialise cooperation through OSA (Official Security Assistance).”
“We understand and support the project for collecting the remains of the war dead and are grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their cooperation with Papua New Guinea,” Marape said.
Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s support for Pacific regional unity and the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
“Japan will steadily implement the commitments made at PALM10 and continue to be a trusted partner of PIF members including Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The Japanese Prime Minister also backed Papua New Guinea’s bid to host APEC in 2033 and expressed hope for its participation in the upcoming GREEN×EXPO 2027.
Meanwhile, Japan plans to provide free defence equipment to Papua New Guinea under its official security assistance programme, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape on Tuesday.
“We want to flesh out cooperation,” Ishiba said in a meeting with Marape at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo.
Ishiba also said that Japan aims to closely cooperate with Papua New Guinea to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific.
