FIJI's Ambassador to Japan Isikeli Mataitoga is working on establishing better friendly relations with respective regions in Japan.
Earlier this month, Mr Mataitoga met with Hideo Yoshida, the mayor of Miura City in Kanagawa and requested help to promote Fiji to the Kanagawa region and establish a friendly bilateral relationship with Miura City underpinned by mutual respect.
According to an Information Ministry statement, Mr Mataitoga also requested Mr Yoshida to explore public diplomacy as well as trade and investment win-win opportunities with Miura City and obtain the support and advice on socio-economic potential offered and needed by Miura City.
Mr Mataitoga highlighted the embassy's initiative of soft diplomacy.
"The objective is to promote Fiji as a promising socio-economic destination for Japan and the international community, as well as to establish deepening people to people relations," the statement said. Mr Mataitoga praised the thriving tuna business in Miura City and said Fiji would like to use the opportunity to study and benefit from Miura City's tuna industry.
He informed Mr Yoshida on the Fiji Trade and Investment Opportunities seminar that the embassy conducts concurrently with every regional visit or separately in a follow-up visit.
Mr Mataitoga sought the support of the mayor to establish a sister-city relations between one of Fiji's province or town.