---

Japan's Former Prime Minister Mori visits FSM

POHNPEI, Palikir (FSM Information Service): September 19, 2001 - The Former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, will be arriving in Pohnpei today for a brief visit to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Mori's scheduled to FSM includes visits to Pohnpei and Chuuk. In Pohnpei the Former Prime Minister will call on the Nation's Leadership: the President, Speaker of Congress, the acting Governor of Pohnpei, Jack E. Yakana and Speaker Feliciano M. Perman of Pohnpei State Legislature.

The President and Speaker Fritz are jointly hosting a dinner reception at Cliff Rainbow Hotel in honor of Former Prime Minister Mori.

Following his stop in Pohnpei, the Former Prime Minister has scheduled a personal visit to the State of Chuuk, to see the island of Toleisom, where his father Shigeki Mori served during the Pacific War.

Mori, who served as Japan's Eighty Fifth Prime Minister, is the highest-ranking Japanese official to visit the FSM. Mori's visit to the FSM is an acceptance of President Leo A. Falcam's invitation extended to the then Prime Minister, during the Presidents trip to Japan earlier this year.

Mori entered into the Government of Japan at the age of 32 as an elected member of the House of Representative in 1969 and has since then been elected to the House 10 consecutive times. Mori has served as Minister of Education, Minister of International Trade and Industry, and Minister of Construction. As a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mori served as the Secretary General, Chairperson of the General Council and Chairperson of the Policy Research Council.

Mori served as Prime Minister of Japan from April 2000 through the following April. He christened his administration the "Cabinet for the Rebirth of Japan" citing educational policies as one of his priorities. He continues to serve his country as a Member of the House of Representative.