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Ambassador Kobayashi of Japan Presents Credentials

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): April 29, 1997 - The Ambassador-designate of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia, His Excellency Jiro Kobayashi, presented his Letter of Credence to FSM Acting President Jacob Nena, accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia. He also presented a Letter of Recall of his predecessor, Ambassador Yasunori Kikuchi, which his Majesty the Emperor of Japan in a ceremony held in the President's Cabinet Room, at the FSM President's Office, in the morning of April 22, 1997. The Ambassador-designate was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Kobayashi.

In his statement, the Ambassador-designate expressed his appreciation in these words:

"It is my great honor to present to Your Excellency, the Letters of Credence which His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has addressed to His Excellency Bailey Olter, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Federated States of Micronesia. I also have the honor to present the Letters of Recall of my predecessor, Ambassador Yasunori Kikuchi.

First of all, I have the honor to ask Your Excellency, upon the instruction to do so by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, to convey His Majesty's hearty wish for the early recovery of His Excellency President Bailey Olter, and His Majesty's sincere desire for the promotion of the friendly and cooperative relations which happily exist between our two countries.

Your Excellency, it is extremely gratifying to see how steadily the relations between our two countries have developed since the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1988. I am particularly happy to be appointed as Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia when your county is making great strides in nation building and in further promoting development and stability under the leadership of your government.

Aware of the great responsibility my appointment brings, I am determined to do my utmost in the execution of my duties, and to strive for even closer ties and enhanced mutual understanding between our two countries. I am confident that this goal will be attained, thanks to Your Excellency's farsighted guidance, and the cooperation of the Government and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia.

In concluding my remarks, I have the honor to express my sincere desire, on behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, that Your Excellency and the people of this nation may enjoy continued good health and growing prosperity."

In accepting Ambassador-designate Jiro Kobayashi's Letter of Credence, Acting President Jacob Nena expressed his pleasure in welcoming Ambassador Kobayashi and Mrs. Kobayashi to the FSM Capital in his own behalf and on behalf of the FSM Government.

The Acting President stated that although our Diplomatic Relations between the FSM and Japan is only nine years old, the historical links and ties between the peoples of the Federated States of Micronesia and Japan goes back to the dawn of the century, which have woven a strong foundation upon which the formal and diplomatic relations today rests, a strong foundation for strong and lasting friendship. Acting President Nena's remarks:

"Mr. Ambassador, as I accept Your Credentials today, I wish to assure you and your government of our strong desire to work and cooperate with you for the mutual benefit of our people.

I am gratified to note the Excellent State of our bilateral relationship. As a new country, the FSM needs to learn from the successful experience of Japan in economic development, in science and technology, and in nation building. the development of our young nation depends to a great degree on the continued assistance of Japan in the area of manpower development and economic cooperation, in particular the implement of the necessary infrastructures throughout our four states."

Acting President Nena praised Japan for its annual grants for infrastructure development, technical assistance, scholarships, and the small scale fisheries development grants among others, adding that the FSM will continue to look to Japan for assistance and support in its nation building efforts. He stated:

"Your presence, Ambassador Kobayashi, is timely, because the FSM is facing difficulties in its efforts to promote and improve the livelihood of its people amidst the dynamic changes taking place in the region and in the world, at the dawning of the new ere called the 'New World Order,' the new millennium and the century of the Pacific. In all of these changes around us, I hope that the importance we attach to our relations and the long established cultural and ethnic ties between our two peoples continue to command the focus of our two governments' attentions.

You and your esteemed government have my assurance for cooperation and close working relationship. Please convey my very best wishes to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan for his continued good health and for the continued prosperity of the people of Japan."

Refreshments were served following the Credential Ceremony, which was attended by President's Cabinet members, the Vice Speaker of Congress, Pohnpei State Lt. Governor, members of the Diplomatic Community and other National Government officials. The Ambassador then paid courtesy calls on His Excellency Jacob Nena, FSM Acting President; the Vice Speaker of Congress, Honorable Claude Phillip; on Governor of Pohnpei, Honorable Del Pangelinan; and on various Diplomatic Missions in Pohnpei.

A Dinner Reception was hosted by FSM Secretary of External Affairs, Honorable Asterio Takesy, at Club Cupid on the evening of April 22, 1997. The next day, Ambassador Kobayashi and his wife departed Pohnpei for Guam on Air Nauru flight ON432.

The 56 year old Ambassador was born in Nagano Prefecture, graduated from Tokyo University in 1963, and studied and graduated in 1968 from the University of California - Berkeley. His career in Foreign Service began in 1978, as First Secretary in the Embassy of Japan in Paris, France. He served in Embassies of Japan in Hong Kong, Pakistan, People's Republic of China, and New Zealand, before his appointment as Resident Ambassador to Fiji. He is married with two children, according to documents provided by the FSM Department of External Affairs.