◆APIC Orientation and Welcome Dinner

On the morning of August 29th, APIC held an orientation for Ms. Bilung Gloria Salii and members. After welcoming the group, APIC President Mr. Shigeie gave a briefing on Japanese politics, economy, and state of society. Afterward, APIC Executive Director Mr. Sobashima and Secretary General Mr. Araki gave a run-down of the group’s schedule during their time with APIC. Executive Director Mr. Sobashima led the group during the entirety of their stay, with the exception of the weekend.
On the evening of the same day, a Welcome Dinner was held, sponsored by APIC President Mr. Shigeie. Approximately 20 people were in attendance that evening, including Palau Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Adelbai, business people etc. associated with Palau, and APIC Sophia University exchange students from Palau.


◆Vegetable Farm Visit & Tour

The first stop of the tour was a visit to a farm in Saitama prefecture, as Ms. Bilung Salii had expressed interest in promoting vegetable farming in Palau. At the farm, called “Yasai na Nakama Tachi Farm”, the group enjoyed a vegetable-centered meal at the farm’s restaurant, followed by a talk given by the farm’s entrepreneur and manager, Ms. Kayo Matsumura, on how the farm provides farming experience opportunities for visitors, as well as how the farm’s products are sold at local markets, and an explanation of how the farm’s restaurant provides meals to visitors that are composed almost completely of vegetables. The next stop was to Suga Farm in Kamisato, Saitama. The farm explained how it has gone numerous years without using chemical fertilizers for their crops, instead using vegetable-based fertilizers as a natural substitute. The group observed the growing conditions of eggplants and green peppers on the farm before leaving.

On the afternoon of the 30th, Ms. Bilung Salii and group visited the Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration office in Saitama prefecture, listening to an explanation of the current situation of vegetable farming in the Kanto region. The following day was “National Vegetable Day”, and the Administration explained the measures being taken to expand vegetable consumption among the population. In the morning that day, the group visited JICA headquarters, receiving a briefing on aid projects in Palau and types of JICA support available for farming-related projects. Both sides talked about the possibility of future aid for Palau vegetable farming projects.

（JICA）

◆Meeting with Minister for Reconstruction of Japan, Ms. Shinako Tsuchiya

Ms. Bilung Gloria Salii met with Japanese Minister for Reconstruction of Japan, Ms. Shinako Tsuchiya on the morning of September 2nd. Minister Tsuchiya welcomed the group, and explained how she intends to uphold her late father’s wishes (note: former Governor of Saitama prefecture and President of the House of Councilors, Mr. Yoshihiko Tsuchiya. While alive, he spent much effort in ensuring that the remains of war dead found in Palau were repatriated) and continue to uphold the deep-rooted relationship between Japan and Palau. The friendly talk between the two women leaders continued with Ms. Bilung Salii expressing words of appreciation for Japan’s support towards Palau, further explaining that her group places value on culture, traditions, health, education, and environment, and that they hold a meeting every year to discuss these topics.


◆Weekend Plans

On the weekend of August 31st and September 1st, the Palau Embassy in Japan took the group for a tour around Tokyo. They attended a mass at a Seventh Day Adventist church in Tokyo, and on the 1st, they went to a violin, piano, and cello trio concert.
Ms. Bilung Salii and members were only in Tokyo for less than a week, but they were able to safely observe and obtain information pertaining to vegetable growing techniques in Japan, as well as exchange opinions with a female cabinet minister despite Typhoon Shanshan bearing down on the country during their short stay.