Palau and Japan Sign 30th Year Anniversary Friendship MOU

Photo Sources: Office of the President, Republic of Palau

By Christopher Cottrell

May 13, 2026, Palau__Last week, President Whipps Jr. welcomed Mie Prefecture Governor Ichimi Katsuyuki and a delegation to sign a 30th Anniversary Friendship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

With Japan’s Ambassador Palau Kenichi Kasahara, “the agreement solidifies a commitment to collaboration in key sectors, including sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, and cultural exchange,” according to a statement from the Office of the President, Republic of Palau.

It continues, “Celebrating three decades of cooperation, this renewed bond ensures a future of mutual growth and shared expertise. We look forward to the innovative projects and deep connections this MOU will continue to foster between our two nations.”

The meeting is part of growing momentum of Japan’s engagement in Palau and the Pacific Islands, according to a report from the Center for Strategic & International Studies and official statement from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In February of this year, Palau and Japan signed an “Economic and Social Development Programme” worth upwards of 300 million yen. It outlines ways to support, “fuel oil for power generation, thereby stabilizing the country’s electricity supply.” They also followed up on the July 2024 commitments made at Japan’s 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) for “Resources and Economic Development,” stating that the Yen 300 million,” project embodies the [this] Plan.”

According to a Palau investment climate report from the U.S. Department of State,“The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is assisting the Palau Public Utilities Company upgrade the national electricity grid and Australia will fund the installation of batteries to the Independent Power Producer (IPP), which had built a solar photovoltaic facility to advance Palau’s goal of becoming net zero by 2032.”