Home>Press Release>Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) Ready to Clear Helmet Wreck
◆Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) Ready to Clear Helmet Wreck
(from left to right: Ambassdor Yoshiyuki Sadaoka- Embassy of Japan: Mr. Gustav Aitaro – Director of Bureau of International Trade & Technical Cooperation, Mr. Takayasu Kakehi – Adviser of JMAS)
On December 4th, Ambassador Yoshiyuki Sadaoka and Mr. Takayasu Kakehi, Adviser of Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) and the project leader for this project, signed a Grant Agreement for the Project for Explosive Remnant of War (ERW) Clearance in the Sea of Koror State. This agreement will realize the funding of up to 732,951 USD available from the Government of Japan to JMAS for the purpose of ERW removal activities in Palau. The Signing Ceremony was witnessed by Director Gustav Aitaro from the Ministry of State Bureau of International Trade & Technical Cooperation.
Members of JMAS have visited Palau several times this year to survey the ERW situation and the possible sites to provide support on. Based on their surveys and the consultations with the Palauan authorities, JMAS intends to first work on the clearance of Helmet Wreck in Koror as it is in critical condition. During their survey, they identified over 85 depth charges at Helmet Wreck, which nearly half are leaking picric acid that are highly toxic to human body.
JMAS is a non-governmental organization registered in Japan which specializes in removal of ERW and unexploded ordnances (UXOs). They have removed UXOs and landmines in Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Angola, and are now coming to the Republic of Palau as Palau is heavily contaminated with the ERW from World War II. JMAS will be opening an office in Koror with some Japanese staff as well as locally hired staff.
©Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau
P.O. Box 6050 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940