Senate confirmed Peter Adelbai’s appointment to the post of Palau’s Ambassador to Japan on March 1st with 11 yes and 1 no vote.
Peter Adelbai is currently in Japan as interim charge d’ affairs at the Palau Embassy in Tokyo. He was nominated by President Surangel Whipps Jr. on January 24 for the position of Ambassador of Palau to Japan.
In his nomination letter, Whipps noted some of the accomplishments and roles Adelbai has qualifying him to the position of ambassador.
Adelbai has an extensive public service background having served as Palau Consul in Guam, a diplomat at Palau Embassy in Japan from 2002 to 2012, and served as Palau’s Ambassador to the Republic of China-Taiwan from 2012 to 2013. He is also a current member of the Airai State Legislature.
In response to queries from the Senate regarding his appointment, Mr. Adelbai said he “envisions a robust relationship between our people and the people of Japan, one where enough regular Japanese folks across Japan know about Palau and have an interest in Palau.”
Mr. Adelbai is in Japan and it is not yet known he can be sworn in or if he could be sworn in via zoom before he takes on his role fully as Palau’s Ambassador to Japan.