The Nippon Foundation Chairman, Yohei Sasakawa, met with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Michael Somare on March 29th in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister requested assistance to train and build the capacity of his country’s coast guard, and asked support for increasing PNG’s presence as an observer member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).Chairman Sasakawa said he would cooperate in supporting the prime minister with his requests.

PNG became independent in 1975, and became a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, retaining Queen Elizabeth as its ceremonial head of state.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare

The Prime Minister and Chairman Sasakawa are good friends based on a long acquaintance with each other. Mr Somare was in Japan to attend an official ceremony to mark the opening of direct flights between Tokyo (Narita Airport) and Port Moresby, the capital of PNG, and to visit the newly renovated PNG Embassy.

PM Somare explained that his country wants to open three new embassies with ASEAN countries, and is asking the Japanese government for its assistance to do this.

PNG presently has embassies in three ASEAN countries – Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, but hopes to add embassies in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

Chairman Sasakawa and Prime Minister Somare

He said Japan plans to import 3.30 million tons of his country’s LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) from 2013. There is also strong competition from China and India to increase their imports of LNG from Papua New Guinea..
Prime Minister Somare said he hopes to see more investment by Japanese companies in his country.

Sasakawa and Somare also discussed the recent decisions by Japan, the United States, and Micronesian countries to strengthen the Micronesia coast guard capacity. Regarding this, PM Somare requested assistance to increase the number of its own coast guard vessels.
Mr Somare said that at least 2-3 more coast guard vessels are necessary to patrol his country’s coastline. Chairman Sasakawa replied that the Sasakawa Peace Foundation would take this under consideration and discuss ways to support this request.
Other topics discussed between the two men were the burgeoning growth of China, and the fact that Japan wants to continue to cooperate with all nations for the protection of the maritime environment.

Various topics were discussed about bilateral relations between PNG and Japan

PM Somare said that at least 2-3 more coast guard vessels are necessary to patrol its coastline. Chairman Sasakawa replied that the Sasakawa Peace Foundation would take this under consideration and discuss ways to support this request.

Other topics discussed between the two men were the burgeoning growth of China, and the fact that Japan wants to continue to cooperate with all nations for the protection of the maritime environment.