Credits: ABS-CBN News
Japan and Pacific island nations are poised to firmly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the regional status quo by force or coercion at the upcoming 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting. This stance comes amid concerns over China’s increasing influence in the region, according to a draft of the meeting’s declaration released on Saturday.
The summit, scheduled for July 16-18 in Tokyo, will see Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announcing over 60 billion yen ($380 million) in development aid over the next three years. This financial support aims to counterbalance China’s clout and strengthen ties between Japan and the island nations, sources familiar with the matter said.
A significant topic at the summit will be Japan’s planned release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific. The draft declaration welcomes Japan’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the discharge does not harm human health or the marine environment. This issue is expected to be a recurring agenda item in future meetings.
The draft document emphasizes several key principles, including global peace and stability, freedom and democracy, sustainable development, the rule of law, and human rights. It also underscores the importance of maintaining a “free and open rule-based international order” in line with international law.
With climate change identified as the most significant existential threat to the Pacific region, the draft highlights the urgent need for actions to mitigate and adapt to its impacts. The policy outlines cooperation in seven areas, including economic development and climate change, to realize the strategy formulated by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a regional body involving Oceania, by 2050.
The document also addresses the importance of combating disinformation and appreciates Japan’s support in enhancing cybersecurity capabilities. Furthermore, it calls for North Korea’s complete disarmament of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles while addressing humanitarian concerns, including the issue of Japanese abductees.
The Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, held every three years since 1997, involves Japan and the 18-member PIF. This year’s summit is expected to reinforce the commitment of Japan and Pacific island nations to regional stability and cooperation in the face of growing geopolitical challenges.
