I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year, and humbly ask for your continued support for APIC throughout 2024.

A few highlights include the following: Dr. Landis, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the West Indies University Cave Hill Campus’ visit in April marked the resumption of APIC’s activities post-pandemic. In November APIC invited the Honourable Kirk Humphrey Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs of Barbados. In June, APIC invited four waste management officials from Trinidad and Tobago to visit Japan.
In July APIC hosted three students from the Pacific Islands region and five students from the Caribbean region to participate in Sophia University’s “Summer Session” for approximately three weeks. APIC’s “Pacific and Caribbean Journalist Fellowship” took place in October, with four participating journalists from the Pacific Islands region and one journalist from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean region taking part in the ten-day program, which included visiting facilities related to the environment, disaster mitigation, and tourism efforts in Kagoshima and Kumamoto prefectures.
On the Xavier Exchange Student front, students who were forced to resort to online classes are back in the classroom, and two new Xavier High School graduates entered Sophia University’s undergraduate program in September, starting their four-year journey at Sophia.
I am also happy to announce that two MCT (Micronesia Conservation Trust) graduate exchange students successfully graduated Sophia University Graduate School in September, and one new MCT student began their studies in the post-graduate program. September also welcomed the first student to participate in APIC’S newly-founded Caribbean Graduate Exchange Student Program at Sophia University.
Other positive news includes the continuation of APIC’s monthly “Lecture Meeting Regarding Global Issues”. APIC posts regularly on its website about its current activities for everyone to read.

Lastly, I would like to say that APIC’s donors and supporters are the driving factors behind what makes it possible to continue our projects. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who played a pivotal role in helping to implement APIC’s many programs-APIC would not be able to carry out its mission without everyone involved.