Ceremony to celebrate the completion of Palau-Nippon Stadium

Video Message

Greetings to President Whipps Jr., and Minister of Public Infrastructure and Commerce, Chair of the Palau National Olympic Committee, and the people of Palau. I am delighted that with your cooperation we were a part of passing on the heritage of the long-loved baseball stadium, the Asahi Baseball Field over to the Palau-Nippon Stadium which will be marking a new era of Palau.

I believe that baseball, or iakiu, is one of the symbols of friendship between Palau and Japan. Baseball was introduced to the people of Palau by a Japanese, Motoji Kono, one hundred years ago. Since then, baseball has been a popular sport in Palau, and it makes me very happy to know that the Palau national baseball team has been successful in many international championships. I have been told that the Pacific Mini Games will be hosted at this stadium in 2025. I wish Palau every success.

In addition to promoting friendship through baseball, Palau-Nippon Stadium is also expected to play an important role in promoting international goodwill. It will be used as an outdoor venue at the 7th Our Ocean Conference hosted by Palau this year. It will become the world epicenter from where the heads of state of island nations will take dynamic actions for the future of the ocean.

It is my wish that the Palau-Nippon Stadium will not only be for strengthening our bilateral friendship but also be the symbol of goodwill and peace of the region. Thank you and Arigatou.

＊This video message is available at The Nippon Foundation YouTube.