Palau Takes Center Stage in Japan: ADEJ Japan 2024

To celebrate and honor the 30 years of friendship between Japan and Palau, the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) took to the stage at Tokyo Daijingu to promote Palau as a premier travel destination, and announce Palau’s new Tourism Support Ambassador. PVA also joined the famed regional dive exhibtion, Asia Dive Expo, held from October 25 to 27, 2024, at Tokyo Big Sight.

This year marks a significant milestone in the relations between Japan and Palau. The choice of Tokyo Daijingu, a revered shrine known for fostering connections, symbolizes the desire to further strengthen the bond between the two nations.

The Republic of Palau, an island country located in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines, enjoys a tropical rainforest climate with an average annual temperature of 27°C. Notably, there is no time difference between Palau and Japan. Palau's national flag bears a striking resemblance to Japan’s, reflecting the deep-rooted historical ties between the two countries. In 1820, the Japanese ship "Jinja Maru" drifted to Palau, initiating over 200 years of exchange between the two nations. Today, several Japanese shrines remain preserved in Palau, and its people hold Japan in high regard for its contributions to education, infrastructure, and economic development. Palau is considered one of the most Japan-friendly nations, with many hotels and travel agencies offering Japanese-speaking staff. Additionally, approximately 1,000 words in the Palauan language are derived from Japanese, making Palau an inviting and accessible destination for Japanese tourists.

The press conference featured key Palauan government officials, including Mr. Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism, and Development; Mr. Cristian Nicolescu, Minister-Counsellor/Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Palau to Japan; Mr. Norman Ngiratecheboet, Palau Visitors Authority Board Member and Governor of Airai State; and Mr. Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority.

In their speeches, the officials expressed gratitude to Japan and emphasized the significance of promoting Palau's tourism.

Palau Tourism Support Ambassador Mr. Taiyo Sugiura also made an appearance during the event. Sugiura, who married former Morning Musume member Nozomi Tsuji in 2007, shared that the couple revisited Palau during their honeymoon, leaving them with cherished memories of the stunning natural beauty. He remarked that selecting Palau as their honeymoon destination was a perfect choice, as its rich array of natural activities provided both physical and mental relaxation, while the warmth of the local people made the experience even more memorable.

"The time we spent in Palau not only strengthened our emotional bond but also filled us with excitement for the future," Sugiura said. His presence at Tokyo Daijingu further highlighted the close and enduring ties between Japan and Palau.

During the ceremony, Mr. Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl presented Sugiura with his official certificate as Palau Tourism Support Ambassador, which was met with enthusiastic applause.

Ms. Chloe Yano, the Marketing & Programs Manager of PVA, had a conversation with Mr. Sugiura. Three 15-second promotional videos of Palau were played, showcasing the most captivating tourist attractions and delicious cuisine of Palau. Both the brand-new visuals and promotional videos consistently convey the charm of Palau.

The press conference was further graced by the presence of Naoya Ogawa, a former world champion judoka, professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist. Ogawa had a special connection to the late Antonio Inoki, a legendary Japanese professional wrestler, professional wrestling trainer, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, who has traveled to Palau multiple times. During Ogawa’s moment on stage, he shared his experience in Palau as well as Inoki's heartfelt wish to spend his final days in Palau. He relayed to the audience that Inoki always spoke fondly of Palau to his friends and family. After the press conference, Ogawa had an engaging dialogue about Palau's culture and history with Minister Tmetuchl.

Approximately 70 guests, comprising media professionals, travel agents, and airline executives, joined the event. Prior to the press conference, PVA joined a three-day travel exhibition at the first-ever ASIA DIVE EXPO JAPAN (ADEX Japan) 2024, held in Japan, attracting over 40,000 visitors. A total of 10 Palau suppliers joined forces to promote our island destination.

We sincerely invite Japanese travelers to visit this pristine paradise – Palau!