The participants were Ms. Laiseana Nasiga from Fiji; Ms. Eve Riklon Burns from the Marshall Islands; Dr. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson from Samoa; Mr. Doddy Vaes Morris from Vanuatu; Ms. Sandy Deane from Barbados; Mr. Rory Daley from Jamaica. Additionally, the program was joined by two joint program coordinators, Mr. Floyd Takeuchi and Ms. Dawn Matus. Under the guidance of the coordinators, all the journalists had a meeting every day after field visits to confirm what they saw and check the facts as they were expected to write at least one article per day. APIC acting Executive Director Sobashima accompanied the group on their visits outside of Tokyo.

The delegation visited Tokyo, as well as several locations in Tottori and Shimane Prefectures, including Ama Town, Matsue City, and Izumo City.

This program, first launched in 2015, has been conducted annually. It was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2022. The 2024 program marked its eighth iteration.


Visits and Briefings in Tokyo

On September 27, the journalists gathered with the joint program coordinators in Tokyo and received initial orientation. On September 30, they visited APIC, where they received an overview of the program and then President Shigeie gave a briefing on Japan’s history, politics, economy, and society. The group then visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they received briefings from the Oceania Division of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau and the Caribbean Affairs Division of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau on Japan's relations with their respective home countries.


Meeting with Former Mayor of Yonago

On the morning of October 1, the delegation flew from Haneda Airport to the San'in region, arriving at Yonago Kitaro Airport in Tottori Prefecture. They visited Yushien Garden on Daikon-jima (Daikon Island), where they had a lunch with Mr. Yasuo Nozaka, former diplomat and former mayor of Yonago City. He shared insights on his mayoral initiatives, demographic challenges such as population decline and aging, and the local government's approach to the “Furusato Nozei” hometown tax donation system. After lunch, Mr. Nozaka guided the group around the Japanese garden of Yushien.

The group then enjoyed a walk along the Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato City, featuring characters from the “GeGeGe no Kitaro” manga, before taking a ferry from Shichirui Port to Ama Town in the Oki Islands.


Visit to Ama Town, Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture

On October 2, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Kazuhiko Oe and other officials at Ama Town Hall. They received explanations about local policies to attract people and businesses, in a town where many residents work in agriculture and fisheries. Faced with population decline and financial constraints, the town implemented salary cuts for officials and pursued active measures to revitalize the community, resulting in population growth and improved finances.

The group then visited Mr. Masaya Miyazaki, who moved to Ama Town and currently manages and operates a sea cucumber processing facility, and learned about sea cucumber processing and export.

At noon, they visited the Toyoda area fishing port, where they learned how to clean and prepare freshly caught yellowtail (hamachi), made rice bowls (donburi) using the sashimi they prepared, and enjoyed the meals they created.

In the afternoon, they visited the workshop of Mr. Howard Rice, a U.S. native who moved to Ama Town after teaching in the Federated States of Micronesia and now builds boats. He explained how he became involved in boatbuilding in Ama and his educational outreach to children on boat construction and navigation.

Next, they visited the public Oki Learning Center (Oki Kuni Gakushu Center), which supplements high school education. The journalists heard firsthand from local and out-of-town high school students about their educational and living experiences in Ama.

In the evening, the delegation joined Mayor Oe and other town hall officials for a dinner in a relaxed atmosphere, deepening their exchanges.

On the morning of October 3, the group departed Ama by ferry, with a warm send-off from Mayor Oe and town officials.


Visit to Shimane Prefecture

Due to rough seas, the ferry docked at Sakai Port in Tottori Prefecture instead of the planned Shichirui Port in Shimane, but the group arrived on the mainland largely as scheduled.

In the afternoon, they visited the Shimane Prefectural Government offices and received briefings from the Regional Revitalization Division for Mountainous and Remote Islands, the Tourism Promotion Division of the Department of Commerce and Labor, the Environmental Policy Division, and the Fisheries Technology Center. Topics included Shimane Prefecture’s overview, measures for revitalizing mountainous areas (such as "small base" initiatives), tourism promotion, and management of the freshwater clam (shijimi) resources in Lake Shinji.

Later, they visited the San-in Chuo Shimpo newspaper company, where they exchanged views with Deputy Editor-in-Chief Mr. Takeshi Bandai, Deputy General Affairs Manager Mr. Motomasa Fujiwara, and Mr. Tsuyoshi Kamata, head of the Oki Bureau (who joined online). After discussing shared interests in media reporting, the group toured the newsroom and received a briefing from Mr. Kenji Sugitani, Editor-in-Chief.

On October 4, bad weather led to the cancellation of the scheduled early morning observation of clam fishing. Instead, the group visited the Lake Shinji Fisheries Cooperative Association, where they learned about the history and current state of clam fishing and resource management. They also observed a demonstration of how clams are sorted for sale and had lunch with the Cooperative's President, Mr. Kazuo Watanabe, which included traditional clam soup.

In the afternoon, they visited the Shimane Prefectural Lake Shinji Nature Museum "Gobius", which features displays of fish from Lake Shinji and Nakaumi and emphasizes educational programs for children. The tank heights are designed at children's eye level. The journalists, many of whom come from island nations with no public aquariums, seemed to enjoy the visit.

On Saturday, October 5, under clear skies, the group participated in tourism experiences. In the morning, an English-speaking volunteer guide explained the historical and national significance of Matsue Castle. They then enjoyed a scenic cruise along the Horikawa River, including the fun of ducking under low bridges as the boat’s roof lowered.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Adachi Museum of Art, learning about its founding, meticulously maintained gardens, and art collection. The journalists expressed deep admiration for the garden’s beauty.


Final Briefings and Closing Ceremony in Tokyo

On the morning of October 7, the group visited the Tokyo headquarters of Asahi Shimbun, where they toured the newsroom guided by Deputy International Editor Ms. Akiko Suzuki, followed by a candid exchange of views on the international media landscape and global affairs.

In the afternoon, they received a briefing on Tokyo’s Super Eco Town Project from city officials, learning about initiatives to increase recycling and reduce landfill waste. They then visited Takatoshi Co.,Ltd., which recycles over 90% of the industrial waste it handles.

That evening, a closing ceremony and farewell dinner hosted by APIC President Shigeie was held. Each journalist reported on their coverage, with topics of interest ranging from the Ama Town community and Shimane’s tourism resources to exchanges with Japanese journalists, the Furusato Nozei system, climate change, and waste management. All participants agreed the visit was highly meaningful.

Mr. Floyd Takeuchi, who has served as joint program coordinator since the program’s inception 10 years ago, retired from his role this year. President Shigeie presented him with a commemorative gift of appreciation. From 2025 onward, Ms. Dawn Matus will serve as the program coordinator.