Year-End Greetings with Senate President Baules

On December 27, 2023, Ambassador ORIKASA Hiroyuki visited Honorable Hokkons Baules, President of the Senate of the Olbiil Era Kelulau, to exchange year-end greetings and gave a gift of a T-shirt featuring the late Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki. A frequent customer of President Baules' restaurant, the legendary wrestler kept a bottle of awamori, the Okinawan distilled liquor, in the restaurant for him to enjoy during his visit to Palau. Mr. Inoki was a good friend of President Baules and his late father, Mr. Baules Sechelong, who named one of the Rock Islands "Inoki Island."