KOROR, Palau — Fourteen volunteer nurses from Japan are lending their expertise to support Palau’s medical response during the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, reinforcing international cooperation and helping ensure athlete and spectator safety during one of the largest sporting events ever hosted by the country.
The nurses, all members of the Japan Sports Nurses Association, are serving in rotating shifts throughout the Games. The first group of six arrived over the weekend and will remain until July 2, when the second team takes over. A third group will arrive during the final week of the event.
“There are 14 of us, but we are staggered throughout the Games,” said Amy Hombu, Ph.D. in Medical Science and one of the first arrivals. “We’re here to help and to gain experience supporting an international event.”
The volunteers cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. While all are experienced registered nurses, they have completed additional specialized training to become certified in sports-related medical care.
“We are certified sports nurses. We go through extra training beyond our regular nursing qualifications,” said Chikako Ohta, a registered nurse and director of the Japan Academy of Sports and Fitness Nursing.
The Japanese team will join a broader coalition of medical professionals from Palau, Taiwan, and the United States to provide care at fixed clinics at designated competition venues and through a mobile clinic. Their presence is vital to supporting the Games while allowing Palau’s main healthcare services to continue uninterrupted.
The involvement of the Japanese nurses highlights the strong regional and international partnerships behind the Games and reflects a shared commitment to both sportsmanship and public health.