Visit of the Mie Governor to Palau

From May 6-8, 2026, Hon. ICHIMI Katsuyuki, Governor of Mie Prefecture, visited Palau to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Mie-Palau Friendship Partnership. Mie Prefecture and Palau established their friendship partnership on July 25, 1996, due to the historic connection that the late President Kuniwo Nakamura’s father was from Ominato, Ise City in Mie.

During Governor ICHIMI’s stay, Ambassador KASAHARA Kenichi participated in Mie Prefecture's PR/cultural exchange event and a tree-planting ceremony at Palau High School — a sister school of Mie Prefecture Fisheries High School.  Ambassador KASAHARA also provided a briefing on the current situation in Palau and co-hosted a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary.

On May 7, Governor ICHIMI and H.E. President Whipps signed a memorandum of agreement marking the 30th anniversary of the friendship partnership, aimed at promoting broader and more multifaceted cooperation between Mie Prefecture and the Republic of Palau. A renewal ceremony for the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between Toba Aquarium and the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), which was originally signed at the 20th anniversary, was also held.

On May 8, a memorial visit was made to Peleliu Island, where sand from Ominato Beach in Ise City and azalea flowers from the Mie Prefectural Government building were offered in memory of those from Ominato, Ise City, who lost their lives on the island.
Through this visit, it is hoped that the friendship between Mie Prefecture and Palau, which has continued for 30 years, will be further strengthened.