From August 21st to September 1st,2023, The Japan Coast Guard Mobile Cooperation Team (CDR KURASHINA Takeshi, LCDR SASAKI Kei, LT EJIRI Toshikatsu, LT FUKUI Takahiro) provided training on first aid and rescue technique assuming a person drifting on surface of the sea and training on towing small boats to the law enforcement officers of Division of Maritime Security and Fish and Wildlife Protection (DMSFWP), Bureau of Public Safety including the crew members of patrol vessel PSS KEDAM and small patrol boats to improve their maritime safety capacities under the support of The Nippon Foundation and The Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
On Aug 23, approx. 40 participants of Joint Heads of Pacific Security meeting 2023 in Palau observed the training.
In addition, On Aug 25, Japanese parliamentarians such as the Japan-Palau Parliamentary Friendship League headed by SHIMOMURA Hakubun that visited Palau, Vice President/Minister of Justice Honorable J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, National Security Coordinator Jennifer Anson and others observed the training and the patrol vessel PSS KEDAM provided by The Nippon Foundation.
After observing the training, all observers confirmed that the skills of the trained personnel improved in a short period.
Vice President/Minister of Justice Honorable J. Uduch Sengebau Senior expressed her appreciation for Japan’s assistance to Palau thus far, as well as The Nippon Foundation and The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, which continue to provide support for strengthening Palau’s maritime security capacities.
In addition, Chairman Shimomura stated that he would like to further increase support to Palau in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Furthermore, he emphasized that he would make efforts in Japan for the future development of Palau.
Since 2012, The Nippon Foundation has provided DMSFWP with the administrative building, berth, 6 patrol vessel and boats as part of “Enhancing Coast Guard Capability in Micronesian States Project,” and has been supporting costs for operating patrol vessels such as fuel, satellite communications, maintenance, and dispatching coast guard advisor. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation has been supporting salary for crew and training by the Japan Coast Guard Mobile Cooperation Team.
In addition, with the support of The Nippon Foundation, Japanese Coast Guard Advisor (LCDR HOSODA Akinori), who has been dispatched to Palau, works in cooperation with Australian Advisor(LCDR Joshua Wilson) and U.S. advisors to support the improvement of Palau’s maritime security and safety capacities. The Japanese Advisor will continue to cooperate with them to promote a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” and focus more energy on improving Palau’s maritime security and safety capacities.