After three successful years serving as Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Senta Keisuke bid his final farewells in a reception held at the Taumeasina Island Resort on Monday evening before returning to Tokyo yesterday afternoon.
“It is a pleasure for me to attend this evening’s reception to celebrate the successful completion of the diplomatic tour of His Excellency Senta Keisuke, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,” said Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa in her remarks.
The evening, she said, provided an opportunity to reflect on the successes of his tenure since his arrival in February 2022, when Samoa was returning to normalcy following extensive lockdowns due to the COVID pandemic.
She said, “Japan immediately joined the coordinated development partners group to assist with Samoa’s gradual economic recovery and ensuring security and resilience against challenges as we strived to build back better post-COVID.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the reprioritization of development cooperation frameworks to meet the demands across sectors, including education, health, security, economic infrastructure, and water resource management.
“You handed over the Lady Naomi IV ferry in November 2022 and the Police Patrol Boat Tilafaiga in June 2023, confirming your commitment to maritime security and emergency operations. More recently was the handover of ambulances and firefighting equipment which were put to good use when we hosted the CHOGM,” she said.
Samoa and Japan have signed several important MoUs and agreements for various projects, she added.
“Excellency, your last official duty was the signing of grant assistance under Japan’s Grant Assistance for the Economic and Social Development Programme for the procurement of a new drilling rig for the Samoa Water Authority valued at approximately SAT 7 million.
“We also signed the Exchange of Notes for the new Health Science Campus and resource center at Le Papaigalagala.”
She acknowledged that H.E. Senta’s final year marked the 50th anniversary of Samoa and Japan’s diplomatic relations, reinforcing stable relations between the two countries despite global challenges.
“As part of the commemoration of our 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Samoa hosted in January a high-level parliamentarian delegation visit led by Honourable Endo Toshiaki, a senior Parliamentarian. Soon after, we hosted the visit of Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ms. Kamikawa Yoko, in February.
“We also received a senior-level visit from the Japanese Ministry of Justice, supporting democratic governance, with a reciprocal visit by Samoa’s Ministry of Justice delegation to Japan. These high-level visits signify trust and mutual respect fundamental to strengthening our relations,” she said.
She also mentioned the importance of the JICA volunteer program, marking its 52nd anniversary in 2024.
“The deployment of JICA volunteers in critical areas such as education, health, water/sanitation, agriculture, and more has addressed the pronounced skills gaps in Samoa. JICA’s volunteer program and its Grassroots for Human Security Programme have greatly benefited local communities and NGOs.”
Concluding her remarks, the Prime Minister thanked H.E. Senta Keisuke for his collaboration over the past three years.
“Excellency Senta Keisuke, on behalf of the people and the Government of Samoa, I thank you for the collaboration in the past three years and your efforts in strengthening bilateral relations between Samoa and Japan. Congratulations on the successful completion of your tour of duty in Samoa. I wish you well in your future endeavors, and may you and your wife have a safe journey back home.
“I look forward to meeting your successor for the continuation of the excellent bilateral relations and partnership nurtured over 50 years between Samoa and Japan for the development and betterment of our two countries and our peoples.”
Japan’s Outgoing Ambassador to Samoa
In his remarks, the outgoing Ambassador delivered his opening in Samoan:
“Malo lava le soifua manuia i lenei afiafi. E muamua ona momoli le agaga ole faafetai mo le faaavanoaina o le tou taimi e auai mai ai lenei faatasiga, ma o se taimi mulimuli lenei tatou te mafuta ai ae le’i tuua ma fa’atofa atu lenei atunuu matagofie o Samoa.”
His Excellency arrived in Samoa on 18th December 2021 and spent three weeks in quarantine during a challenging period for Samoa due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on his tenure, he noted significant changes in Samoan society as it transitioned from the stagnant period of closed borders to recovering its economy and social activities.
“During these three years, I had the pleasure and honor of witnessing several epoch-making events in the history of Japan and Samoa,” he said.
He highlighted his participation in Samoa’s 60th Anniversary of Independence celebrations, expressing pride in commemorative events and keeping a 60 Tala note as a souvenir.
His Excellency recalled projects completed during his tenure, including various grassroots projects that benefited schools, communities, and NGOs. These included:
- Renovation of schools like Moata’a Primary School, A’ana No.1 College, and Palauli Sisifo College.
- Community projects like Sauago Village Water Project and Salailua Village Water Tank.
- Handover of vehicles to government branches and organizations like the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority and Samoa Animal Protection Society.
He also highlighted the construction of the new Goshen Trust Mental Health Facility and the renovation of the University of South Pacific’s Savai’i Campus.
The Ambassador fondly shared personal experiences, including snorkeling at Samoa’s beaches and exploring its mountains.
Looking ahead, he introduced his successor, Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, who will transition from Iceland to Samoa.
He concluded by thanking all staff members of the Embassy of Japan for their invaluable support.
Attendees
The farewell event was attended by members of the Council of Deputies, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Diplomatic Corps, business community members, civil society representatives, government CEOs and ACEOs, friends of the Ambassador, and staff of the Embassy of Japan in Samoa.
