The 82nd birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito has been marked locally, with a celebration held last Friday at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.
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The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Her Highness Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese were present at the celebration.
Also present were members of Parliament, Chief Justice Patu Tiavasu’e Sapolu and C.E.Os of government ministries and non-government organisations.
In an interview with the Japanese Ambassador, Tuimaugaoalii Shibuta Kazumasa, he stated that the Emperor’s birthday falls on 23 December.
“People will be very busy on this day, especially Christians, therefore we are flexible [and] shift it to another day,” he said.
“Emperor Akihito will be 82 this year.
“He is the 125th Emperor of the Government of Japan.” Tuimaugaoalii said Samoa is not the only country celebrating the Emperor’s birthday, with others taking part around the world.
Acting Prime Minister Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua highlighted some of the key areas where Japan assists Samoa, during his keynote speech.
“Through this year, Japan has supported Samoa’s economic development across key areas that include education, transport, health, energy, environment and many other areas of development in Samoa,” he said. “The projects included the main campus of the National University of Samoa and village schools, the inter-island ferry vessels, ports and wharfs, the referral hospitals in Savai’i, the power sector expansion project, the Apia sea wall and the observatory weather forecast system, to name a few."
“This year, 2015, makes it 46 years since the establishment of the official diplomatic division between Samoa and Japan."“Over this long period, the relationship between our two countries have grown into a close friendship and strong economic development partnership that Samoa enjoys.”
Tolofuaiavalelei acknowledged Japan’s assistance in providing buses for transport, for hosting the third S.I.D.S conference last year.
“In May this year our Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, joined Japan’s Prime Minister and other Pacific leaders for [a] meeting in Japan,” he said.
“Besides the conversations on the common issues affecting the region and the Samoa and Japan bilateral issue, it was also an occasion for our Prime Minister to personally thank Japan’s Prime Minister for Japan’s general support of Samoa’s economic development aspirations."
“It was an opportunity also to convey our appreciation for the Pacific Climate Change Centre being implemented at S.P.R.E.P Vailima Headquarters, funded by Japan, as well as to flag future climate resilience projects for Samoa such as the new Vaisigano Bridge."
“As we always endeavour to do on Japan’s national commemoration day, I wish to again express to Ambassador Tuimaugaoalii and the J.I.C.A’s resident representative our appreciation for Japan’s volunteers and experts personally working for Samoa."“Thank you again for...the many years of educated service delivered by the Japanese volunteers and experts to assist Samoa.”
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