Embassy of Japan in Palau（在パラオ日本国大使館）

【Welcome Ceremony of Alingano Maisu】

On May 29, 2026, Ambassador KASAHARA Kenichi delivered his message at the Welcome Ceremony of Alingano Maisu, on her safe return to Palau, after completing her 20th voyage to Taitung, Taiwan and Okinawa, Japan. In his remarks, Ambassador Kasahara commended Captain Sesario Sewralur and the crew of Alingano Maisu for their courage, skill and dedication to preserving navigational tradition for future generations.

【Landmark Handover Ceremony Celebrates the Launch of the OEK Website】
On May 26, 2026, Ambassador KASAHARA Kenichi attended the handover ceremony for the newly launched OEK website held at the Palau Royal Resort. This website was developed as part of the "Legislative Support for Pacific Island Countries Phase 2 (SLIP2)" project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Government of Japan. It is expected to promote the digitalization and transparency of the OEK while facilitating timely access to information and services for the people of Palau.

The ceremony was attended by Hon. Kerai Mariur, Floor Leader of the Senate, Hon. TJ Imrur Remegesau (Senate). Hon. Warren S. Umetaro, Floor Leader of the House of Delegates, Hon. Francheska Ruluked Otong (Delegate of Ngatpang), Hon. Timothy R. Sinsak (Delegate of Ngarchelong), Ms. Gulbahor Nematova, Deputy Resident Representative for the UNDP North Pacific Office, and many other distinguished guests from the legislative branch.

In his remarks, Ambassador KASAHARA expressed his sincere gratitude to the OEK for their dedication and tireless efforts in bringing the website to life. “The website will enable not only the people of Palau, but also those in Japan — located approximately 3,200 kilometers away — to stay informed about the latest developments in Palau in real time. We have long anticipated the launch of such an information platform, and the Government of Japan is honored to have play a part in this important endeavor.”

Started in April 2023, SLIP2 is a project aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of legislatures across six Pacific Island countries — Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The project is funded by the Government of Japan with a contribution of 832 million Japanese Yen.

（SLIP2 Activities in Palau）
・4th Conference of Pacific Islands Parliaments Group：https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_01450.html

The Embassy of Japan is closed today, June 1st, in observance of Palau’s national holiday, “President’s Day,” and regular hours will resume on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026.

【Japan-Palau Alumni Series: Vol. 34– Mr. Byron M. Silil】📚
Mr. Byron M. Silil is an alumnus of the Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT). He went to Japan as part of the Specialized Training College Program and attended Musashino Nutrition College in Tokyo to study Nutrition.

Click the link below to read more about his experience.

https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_02673.html

On Wednesday May 27, 2026, a team of Japan Association for Recovery and Repatriation of War Casualties (JARRWC) visited the embassy to report the results of the activities conducted by the 1st batch of the mission in FY 2026 in Peleliu State. The duration of the repatriation activity in FY 2026 is doubled up to 200 days compared to the last FY.

【UNDP North Pacific Office Deputy Resident Representative Visits the Embassy】

On May 26, 2026, Ambassador KASAHARA Kenichi received a courtesy call from Ms. Gulbahor Nematova, Deputy Resident Representative for the North Pacific Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

During the meeting, they exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in preparation for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting to be held in August this year under the Palau Chairmanship, as well as on measures to address drought conditions in the region. Discussions also covered the expansion of human resource dispatch to Palau.

【The Follow-Up - JFY2012 GGP “The Project for School Bus Procurement for Peleliu Elementary School”】

On May 14, 2026, the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) Coordinator of the Embassy of Japan visited Peleliu Elementary School (PES) and met with Ms. Zeralda Smau, Principal of PES. The visit was conducted as part of follow-up to “The Project for School Bus Procurement in Peleliu Elementary School.” In this project, PES was provided with one 30-seater school bus.

14 years after its delivery, the bus continues to operate in good condition, providing safe and reliable transportation for 43 students at the PES. As approximately half of the students live far from the school, the bus serves as an indispensable means of transportation for both the students and their parents.

The Embassy of Japan hopes that the bus will continue to contribute to a stable learning environment and a fulfilling school life for the students in the years to come.

On the same day, the Embassy of Japan also held a Japanese cultural event at the school, which was attended by Ambassador Kasahara Kenichi.
https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_02661.html

‼️REMINDER: MEXT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE NEXT WEEK‼️

📌 Application Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Submit your application at the Embassy of Japan in Ngerkebesang📌

🌸Japan Government (MEXT) Scholarship SY2027 is now open!🌸
📌Application Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026 (4:30PM)

Available Programs:
(1) Specialized Training College
(2) Undergraduate
(3) Research Program
(4) National Institute of Technology Program

Please click the below link for further information.
https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/education.html
OR
Contact the Embassy: 680-488-6455

On May 21, 2026, two tourism experts visited the Embassy for a meeting with Ambassador KASAHARA Kenichi. Ms. ONODERA Mika, who has been seconded to the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) for the past two years. During her term, Ms. Onodera made significant contributions to various tourism promotion activities, targeting not only Japan but also a wide range of other countries, helping to raise Palau's profile as a premier tourist destination. Also in attendance was Mr. SHIMOMURA Yasuki, who recently arrived in Palau to join PVA. Mr. Shimomura will be taking on the role of supporting further marketing and public relations activities for the coming year. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Japan-Palau cooperation in the tourism sector.

【Follow-up - JFY2012GGP “The Project for Improving the learning Environment of Emmaus High School”】

On May 4, 2026, the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) Coordinator of the Embassy of Japan visited Emmaus-Bethania High School and met with Ms. Pamela Swei, Principal. The visit was conducted as part of follow-up to “The Project for Improving the Learning Environment of Emmaus High School.”

Emmaus-Bethania High School has 64 students, and the provided 30-seat microbus is used every week for school events and off-campus learning activities.

Even 14 years after the completion of the project, the bus continues to well-utilized and well-maintained, as students have established their own rules for its use and management.

Principal Pamela expressed her gratitude, saying, “The provision of the bus has expanded the students’ range of activities, enabling them to participate more actively in extracurricular programs. We hope to continue using it with great care for many years to come, with the students themselves taking an active role in its maintenance and management.”

The Embassy of Japan hopes that the microbus will continue to serve as an important means of transportation supporting students’ diverse learning opportunities.