Economic Cooperation
2023/1/19
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
The Embassy of Japan Held its First Official Press Tour in December 2022
1) Infrastructure
- Japan and Palau Signed a 1.85 million USD Grant Contract for the Border Control Authority to Procure X-ray Inspection Systems and Devices in December 2022
- Renovation, Expansion and Operation of Palau International Airport, completed in May 2022
2) Ocean and Maritime Security
- Japan Dispatched Mobile Cooperation Team for Technical Cooperation of Rescue and First-Aid of the Coast Guard Agency of the Republic of Palau in January 2023
- 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
- Handover Ceremony of the ICU Facility by JICA's Technical Cooperation Project for Capacity Development of ICU Using Telemedicine under COVID-19 Pandemic in December 2022
- 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
- Women Seed Grant 1st Awarding Ceremony of the COVID-19 Response for the Affected Poor and Vulnerable Groups through “Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific” in July 2022
- Grant Signing Ceremony, Groundbreaking Ceremony and the 2nd Task Force Meeting for Japan-Palau Agriculture Cooperation in October 2022
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/KUSANONE)
- List of Grant Assistance for Grassroot Human Security Projects in Palau