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FSM President Emanuel Mori Held an Audience with the Emperor of Japan

Tokyo, Japan (Dept. of Foreign Affairs): December 12, 2007 - On November 30 President Emanuel Mori was granted an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

He conveyed the wishes of the people of the Federated States of Micronesia for continued good health for the Emperor and Empress and Members of the Imperial Family and for the people of Japan and congratulated them on the birth of the new Prince.

President Mori was in Japan taking part in the 1^st Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Beppu, Oita, Japan. President Mori thanked the Government of Japan for hosting the meetings. He particularly thanked the former Prime Minister of Japan, Honorable Yoshiro Mori who is the President of the Asia Pacific Water Forum.

He thanked the Emperor for Japan's generous and steadfast support of the FSM's nation building efforts saying that Japan has made significant contributions to the economic and social development of the FSM especially in the important sectors of fisheries, human resource development, economic reform programs, energy, ports development, technical assistance, cultural progress, environment, information technology, and scholarship schemes.

President Mori expressed appreciation for the keen interest of the Imperial Family in the Islands of Micronesia. He invited members of the Imperial Family to fulfill their previously stated desire to visit the Federated States of Micronesia saying that the FSM would welcome such a visit and that it would further strengthen Japan FSM relations.

The Emperor was aware of President Mori's Japanese heritage. President Mori told him that the families of Japanese descendants have made important contributions to the political economic, and social advancement of FSM people. President Mori told the Emperor that there is growing interest in establishing a Japanese Descendants Friendship Association in the FSM-an association that can play an important role in strengthening the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and the FSM.

The audience was productive for the good relationship that has been enjoyed between Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia for at least 87 years. The two countries did not establish formal diplomatic relations until 1989.