Overview:
Japan is strengthening its partnership with Palau to enhance maritime security. On Oct. 8, the Japan Association of Marine Safety (JAMS) and the Japanese Embassy in Palau reaffirmed their coordinated efforts to boost the capabilities of Palau’s Marine Law Enforcement, emphasizing donor cooperation and technical training to safeguard Palau’s waters.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
On Oct. 8, Ambassador Hiroyuki Orikasa met with Masahide Nakao, director of the International Cooperation Team for the Micronesia Region at the Japan Association of Marine Safety (JAMS), and his team to discuss strengthening maritime security in Palau through coordinated donor efforts.
Ms. Yamamoto member of the Japan Embassy says, since fiscal year 2011, JAMS has supported Micronesia’s maritime security by providing three small patrol boats and the PSS KEDAM vessel to Palau. They have also dispatched maritime security advisors to assist the Palau Marine Law enforcement.
JAMS is currently focused on enhancing the capabilities of Palau’s Marine Law officers. Their efforts include on-the-job training and instruction at manufacturers’ facilities, teaching officers how to maintain vessels and replace aging parts to ensure reliable operations for patrols, search and rescue missions, and other essential duties.
Because multiple countries are assisting Palau in maritime security, officials emphasized the importance of donor coordination to avoid duplication in training programs and schedules. Both JAMS and the Embassy expressed a strong commitment to improving information sharing with other donors to maximize the effectiveness of support.
During their visit to the Embassy, the JAMS team — who were in Palau to repair one of the patrol boats — provided an update on the progress of maritime security capacity-building efforts in the country, underscoring the ongoing partnership to help Palau safeguard its waters.