Japan Strengthens Palau’s Maritime Security and Fisheries with US$3.6 Million

Japan has reiterated its continued cooperation with Palau for a ‘free-and-open Indo Pacific’, including maritime security and connectivity. The Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe and Palau president Tommy Remengesau Jr. signed and agreement on grant aid. This includes the provision of motorboats and floating markers as assistance towards the fields of maritime security and fishery.

The leaders also confirmed their continued cooperation on the recovery of the remains of the war dead, the stable operation of the Japanese fishing vessels and people-to-people exchanges including those of the young generations. Japan brought forth its pending request with Palau to allow small scale fishermen from Okinawa to fish in Palau’s waters, even after the implementation of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) in 2020. However, Remengesau said the fishing should occur in the Domestic Fishing Zone which encompasses 85,896 square miles pf Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with 80 per cent of it being a ‘no-take zone’. “We are not going to compromise the integrity of the PNMS, however, we are mindful of the 20 per cent domestic fishing zone, which is a big area.”

Japan is one of Palau’s closest allies with millions of aid provided to build roads, infrastructure and a new patrol boat to help police Palau’s EEZ. Moreover, Japan has also pledged to help the island host the ‘Our Oceans Conference in 2020.