Joint Statement between Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia
2 February 2023

1. Prime Minister of Japan His Excellency KISHIDA Fumio and President of theFederated States of Micronesia (FSM) His Excellency David W. PANUELO, held ameeting in Tokyo on 2 February 2023.
2. The two leaders emphasized their commitment to further develop the traditional,friendly, and cooperative relationship between the two countries, which has beenfounded on common fundamental values and principles including freedom,democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The two leaders celebrated theopening of the new office of the Embassy of the FSM in Japan on the 35th anniversaryof the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the FSM.
Advancing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”
3. Amid growing challenges to the fundamental values and principles shared by thetwo countries and their partners, the two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment torealize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, where the rights, freedoms and sovereignty of
all countries, regardless of size or power, are protected by international law, rules
and norms. Prime Minister KISHIDA explained that Japan, as the G7 Presidency,
would like to demonstrate the G7’s determination to uphold the international order
based on the rule of law, and President PANUELO expressed his support for Japan’s
G7 presidency. They also committed to opposing all forms of military, economic, andpolitical coercion and to countering harmful disinformation.
4. Prime Minister KISHIDA explained Japan’s efforts for fundamentally reinforcing its
defense capabilities and strengthening diplomatic efforts, as illustrated in the newNational Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program,and President PANUELO expressed his genuine understanding and total support forsuch efforts by Japan.
5. The two Leaders expressed very serious concerns about the situation in the East andSouth China Seas, and reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts
to change the status quo by force or coercion and increase tensions that could
undermine regional stability and international order based on the rule of law. Theyemphasized the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct1

of all activities by claimants and all other states in the South China Sea. They
reaffirmed the critical importance of respecting international law, in particular theUN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and maintaining freedom ofnavigation and overflight.
6. In view of the cross-cutting impact between security and economy, the two Leaders
decided to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in promoting economic security.
The two Leaders expressed concern for, and strong opposition to economic coercion
to achieve political ends, stressed the importance of the rule-based international
economic order, and highlighted the importance of close coordination in addressing
economic coercion.
Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine
7. The two Leaders condemned Russia for its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable warof aggression against Ukraine. They urged Russia to immediately withdraw its troops
and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They condemned Russia’sirresponsible nuclear rhetoric and stressed that any use of a nuclear weapon by
Russia in Ukraine would be an act of hostility against humanity and unjustifiable inany way. They emphasized the 77 years record of non-use of nuclear weapons must
be maintained. They committed to continue to support Ukraine, and hold Russia
accountable for its actions, and to work together to ensure similar actions will neverbe repeated, including in the Indo-Pacific.
8. The two Leaders shared the view that the security of Europe and of the Indo-Pacificis inseparable, and expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change
the status quo by force or coercion anywhere in the world.
Regional Cooperation
9. The two Leaders emphasized the importance of the unity and solidarity of PacificIsland countries in addressing common challenges such as climate change. Prime
Minister KISHIDA welcomed that the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders werecommitted to continuing dialogue towards a resolution to restore the unity of thePIF Family.
10. President PANUELO expressed his deep appreciation for Japan’s continued
commitment and support to Pacific Island countries through the process of thePacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM). Prime Minister KISHIDA reaffirmed the2commitment to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and Pacific Island
countries through “All Japan” efforts under Japan’s Pacific Bond (KIZUNA) Policy. The
two Leaders reaffirmed the commitment to working together on five priority areasof cooperation: (1) COVID-19 Response and Recovery, (2) Sustainable Oceans basedon the Rule of Law, (3) Climate Change and Disaster Resilience, (4) Strengthening
Foundation for Sustainable and Resilient Economic Development, and (5) People-toPeople Exchanges and Human Resource Development.
Bilateral Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the FSM
11. The two Leaders recognized advancement of bilateral maritime cooperation,
including maritime security as a part of their efforts for realizing a “Free and Open
Indo-Pacific.” President PANUELO showed his appreciation for the assistance andcooperation by the government and relevant organizations of Japan for theenhancement of the coast guard capability of the FSM. In particular, President
PANUELO described the FSM’s appreciation for the forthcoming provision of four
small patrol boats that will assist the FSM in safeguarding its sovereignty and its
resources.
12. The two Leaders welcomed the signing at Tokyo on 2 February of an Exchange ofNotes concerning the provision of medical equipment under the Economic andSocial Development Program.
People-to-People Exchanges
13. The two Leaders shared the intention to maintain high-level mutual visits anddialogues as well as to promote exchanges between the two countries’
Parliamentarians, including friendly parliamentary leagues.
14. The two Leaders reaffirmed that people-to-people exchanges should be facilitatedin various fields to further strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries,
including further dispatch of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Volunteers, such as in the area of mathematics teaching at the FSM’s public schools.
Recovery of the Remains of Japanese War Dead
15. The two Leaders renewed their determination for peace. Prime Minister KISHIDA
expressed his deep appreciation for the FSM’s generous support for recovery of theremains of Japanese war dead, and maintenance and management of monuments
to the war dead. President PANUELO expressed his willingness to continue to3

cooperate with Japan for promoting the recovery of the remains of the war dead.
Global Cooperation
16. The two Leaders acknowledged the need for intensified global efforts to counterclimate change, and committed to working together to build on the outcomes of theCOP27 and the latest related reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC). They emphasized the existential threat that climate change poses tothe world, including Pacific Island countries.
17. The two Leaders stressed the importance of transparent and fair development
finance to achieve sustainable development in developing countries and called on
all actors to adhere to international rules and standards, such as debt sustainability
and transparency.
18. The two Leaders strongly condemned North Korea’s ongoing development ofnuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, including the unprecedented number ofballistic missile launches over the past year, reiterating their commitment toachieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear
weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction
and ballistic missile programs. They urged North Korea to comply with its obligations
under the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) and emphasized theimportance of the international community fully implementing the UNSCRs. They
expressed serious concerns on the human rights situation in North Korea. They alsourged North Korea to resolve the abductions issue immediately.
19. The two Leaders reaffirmed their support to multilateralism based on the rule of law.
They renewed their determination to work together with a view to strengthening
the United Nations as a whole, including early reform of the Security Council, inorder to deal with serious issues the international community is facing. President
PANUELO reiterated the FSM’s position that Japan ought to be a permanent memberof a reformed Security Council, and Prime Minister KISHIDA expressed his gratitude
to the FSM for its support for Japan's permanent membership in a reformed SecurityCouncil.
20. The two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to realizing a world without nuclear
weapons. The two Leaders reaffirmed that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament4and non-proliferation regime and essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear
disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The two Leaders stressed thatthe 40-year long decline in global nuclear arsenals must be sustained and notreversed. In this regard, President PANUELO welcomed Prime Minister KISHIDA'sefforts on nuclear disarmament in line with the "Hiroshima Action Plan."
ALPS Treated Water
21. Noting the points expressed by the PIF leaders with regard to the discharge of ALPS
treated water into the sea in the PALM9 Leaders Declaration, Prime Minister
KISHIDA reiterated that the discharge of the ALPS treated water would be conducted
while firmly ensuring no harm to the environment and human health, and reassured
that Japan would continue its efforts in a transparent manner in accordance withthe domestic and international safety standards in cooperation with theinternational community including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
President PANUELO acknowledged the efforts that Japan has made since PALM9 andwelcomed Japan’s sincere intent of continuing close and candid dialogues throughthe framework of PIF as well as through bilateral relations, based on its commitment
at PALM9. In particular, President PANUELO noted that substantive briefings on theALPS issue by resident Ambassador of Japan, H.E. MICHIGAMI Hisashi, have provenextraordinarily fruitful for the FSM’s understanding of this complex issue, and that
the FSM is no longer as fearful or concerned as previously related at the United
Nations General Assembly. President PANUELO assured Prime Minister KISHIDA thatthese transparent briefings and discussions have substantially increased the FSM’strust in Japan’s intentions and Japan’s technological capabilities in not harming ourshared oceanic assets and resources.

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