124TH YEAR | NO. 43,246

ISSN 0289-1956 © THE JAPAN TIMES, LTD., 2020

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Japan helps small islands take oversize global roles
Joe Muntal
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

sland countries, with their small populations, finite resources and reliance ontrade, are the first to suffer the effects ofclimate change and global economic shifts.
The coronavirus pandemic has further
highlighted the unique challenges facingisland countries, said former JapaneseForeign Minister Fumio Kishida in an interview with The Japan Times on Nov. 4. He
observed that the pandemic has deepened
divisions between countries, resulting inincreasingly stringent immigration regulations and other protectionist policies.
“Because of their limited populations andlack of resources, island countries can’t adopt
such nationalist attitudes,” Kishida said. “Thisis why island countries need to collaborate
diplomatically and take on leadership roles toaddress environmental issues and otherglobal challenges.”
John Fritz, the ambassador to Japan of theFederated States of Micronesia (FSM) —whose four states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei andKosrae comprise thousands of islands in thewestern Pacific — joined Kishida to discuss
the importance of diplomatic relations
between the two countries, as well as theirexperiences working together and the challenges they foresee in the 21st century.
The relationship between Japan andMicronesia traces back to more than 100years ago, when the Empire of Japan colonized most of Micronesia. During this period,
many Japanese settled in Micronesia, marrying Micronesians and raising families. It isestimated that 104,000 people, which are 20
percent of the country’s population, haveJapanese ancestry — Fritz included.
An important aspect of strengthening relations between Japan and FSM is reconnecting this segment of Micronesia’s population
with their Japanese ancestry, Fritz said.
“Reconnecting these Micronesians with
their Japanese ancestry is very difficult,” hesaid. “The younger generations are either
uninterested or unaware. However, spreadingawareness of this connection will be very
important in enhancing relations between
the people of Japan and Micronesia.”
Despite the colonial history between thetwo countries, the people of Micronesia lookat Japan favorably, Fritz said, citing Japan’s
influence on Micronesian economic and educational policy.
“While it’s true that Japan occupied
Micronesia,” he said, “my country has imple-

Former Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (left) with John Fritz, ambassador to Japan of the Federated States of Micronesia HIROMICHI MATONO

mented proactive policies in education andother areas to benefit the people of theislands. This approach emphasizing theimportance of development is something welearned from the Japanese. Despite the history of war, the people of Micronesia have avery friendly stance towards Japan.”
Diplomatic relations between the twocountries are anchored in a strong trade relationship centered on the fishing industry, andtheir governments have worked together
diplomatically in various capacities. After
World War II, the two governments worked
together to recover the remains of Japanesesoldiers who died abroad during the war, andrepresentatives from both governments havefrequently collaborated at international conferences.
Fritz has been ambassador to Japan since2008. His twelve-year assignment is excep-guntû – a little hotel floating on the Seto Inland Sea.

https://guntu.jp/0120 - 4 89 - 321

tionally long for an ambassador, a position
that usually entails a change of post every
three to four years. The length of his assignment was initially eight years but wasextended for four years at the urging of former President Peter Christian.
It is no mystery why the FSM president
insisted Fritz stay in Japan. Having first cometo the country in 1980 as a student at TokaiUniversity, Fritz has witnessed Japan
undergo dramatic changes over the past 40years. He is intimately familiar with the country and its culture.
“When I first came to Japan, the yen stoodat around 300 against the dollar,” he recalled.
“I’ve witnessed the country undergo various
economic developments since then, andthere was one point when I was here that theyen fell all the way to 79 against the dollar.
Needless to say, I’ve become quite accus-

tomed to life here.”Fritz has cultivated strong relationships
with other ambassadors in Japan. Manyyears ago he formed a group with around 20
ambassadors who speak Japanese in orderto facilitate direct communication withJapanese government officials. During theAbe administration, they met with Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe once every three months
to discuss the initiatives of each of their-> Continued on page 2

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