Palikir, Pohnpei — Toshihisa Takata, Japan’s ambassador to the Pacific Region, and Federated States of Micronesia President Peter M. Christian discussed economic and regional security issues during a recent meeting.
Both Christian and Takata shared their hopes that world become a more peaceful place, according to a press release from the office of FSM president.
Takata was recently appointed as special assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, ambassador for the Pacific Island region, which is a newly created position in the Oceania Division, for the purpose of strengthening communications and networks with Pacific Island countries.
FSM President Peter M. Christian, right, with Toshihisa Takata, Japan’s ambassador to the Pacific Region. Photo courtesy of the office of FSM president
“I’m very honored to be here today,” Takata said during a courtesy call with Christian on Dec. 7, “This is our first official mission to the Pacific Island Region.”
Takata congratulated Christian for the 30 years of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Our formal relationship as countries has been for 30 years, but our people to people relationship goes back over 100 years,” Christian said, “and we’re very happy about that.”
Previously assigned to New Zealand, Samoa, and the Cook Islands, Takata has nearly 43 years of diplomatic experience. He will be working closely with Ryoichi Horie, resident ambassador of Japan to FSM, as well as the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs, with his focus targeting the broader Pacific Region’s needs.