Economic Cooperation
2022/6/15
Overview of economic and developmental assistance from Japan to Palau
Economic development in Palau has faced various challenges because of its dispersed territories and small marketplaces that are geographically far away from international markets. In addition, a lack of adequate financial, technical and human resources hinder Palau from developing its economy.
Japan has supported Palau for more than 40 years as a historically, culturally and geopolitically important partner. The Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge completed in 2002 represents Japan’s long-lasting assistances and friendship. The bridge is now an essential facility for daily transportation in Palau.
Japan’s assistance policy is defined in the “Country Assistance Policy” and “Rolling Plan”, which the Government of Japan and Palau revise regularly. Recently, Japan’s assistances have put importance on ocean & maritime security, infrastructure, industries and climate changes. Key institutions carrying out assistances vary from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or JICA to international organizations or NGOs. The length of each project varies as well from one-year Grassroots Grant Projects to construction projects for more than three years.
Japan has supported Palau for more than 40 years as a historically, culturally and geopolitically important partner. The Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge completed in 2002 represents Japan’s long-lasting assistances and friendship. The bridge is now an essential facility for daily transportation in Palau.
Japan’s assistance policy is defined in the “Country Assistance Policy” and “Rolling Plan”, which the Government of Japan and Palau revise regularly. Recently, Japan’s assistances have put importance on ocean & maritime security, infrastructure, industries and climate changes. Key institutions carrying out assistances vary from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or JICA to international organizations or NGOs. The length of each project varies as well from one-year Grassroots Grant Projects to construction projects for more than three years.
Japan will continue to support Palau by investigating its economic and social needs and combining appropriate schemes in order to implement projects that are beneficial for all people in Palau.
Recently completed and ongoing projects
1) Infrastructure
2) Ocean and maritime security
3) Medical
4) Climate change, environment and disaster resilience
5) Industries
- Construction of National Landfill, handed over in November 2020
- Palau Submarine Cable Project, signed in January 2021
- Renovation, Expansion and Operation of Palau International Airport, completed in May 2022
2) Ocean and maritime security
- Improvement of Maritime Domain Awareness, signed in January 2021
- Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Ship's Anchor and Goodwill Exercise, held in September 2021
- Assistances for Our Ocean Conference, held in April 2022
- Capacity Building of the Coast Guard Agency of Palau by Japan Coast Guard, held in May 2022
3) Medical
- Provision of Medical Equipment, signed in September 2021
- Health Screening "KENSIN" Ship and NCDs Prevention, started in November 2021
- Provision of Hand-Wash Stations at Schools in 14 States, handed over in December 2021
4) Climate change, environment and disaster resilience
- Emergency Assistance in Response to the Typhoon Surigae, handed over in April 2021
- Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience Project with UNDP, signed in April 2019
- Grants to the Palau Red Cross Society for a New Warehouse and Training Center, signed in December 2021
5) Industries
Japan's Development Assistance Policies for the Republic of Palau
- Country Assistance Policy for the Republic of Palau
- Rolling Plan for the Republic of Palau
- Past Projects
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)
- Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)
- Past Projects and Recipients of GGP in Palau