Emperor of Japan Holds Talks with Micronesia's Head of State
On Tuesday, July 30, Emperor Naruhito met with Micronesian President Wesley Simina at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The meeting, which lasted for 30 minutes, was significant as it marked Japan's recognition of the heavy toll World War II inflicted on Micronesia and emphasized ongoing post-war cooperation, including humanitarian and peace efforts.
During their talks, Emperor Naruhito expressed sorrow for the loss of countless lives in Micronesia during the war and conveyed his gratitude for Micronesia's cooperation in recovering the remains of Japanese war dead. President Simina, in turn, acknowledged Japan’s postwar contributions to global peace, highlighting a mutually respectful relationship built on reconciliation and collaboration since the war ended 80 years ago.
This meeting fits into a broader pattern of Emperor Naruhito marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II through engagements that acknowledge wartime suffering and promote peace. Similar gestures include his visit to Mongolia where he honored Japanese prisoners of war and his visits to Okinawa, Hiroshima, and Iwo Jima, sites symbolic of war hardship and recovery.
The topic of President Simina's visit to Fukushima Prefecture, which occurred in March 2011, was not related to the meeting with Emperor Naruhito. He visited the region to observe reconstruction efforts following the earthquake and tsunami that hit the Tohoku northeastern Japan region, including Fukushima, in March 2011. The reconstruction efforts in Fukushima Prefecture are still ongoing.
The earthquake and tsunami, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life, were a tragic reminder of the devastation that can be wrought by natural disasters. Emperor Naruhito thanked Simina for visiting Fukushima Prefecture in March 2011, and Simina highly evaluates Japan's contributions to world peace in the postwar era.
The meeting between the two leaders did not disclose any specific details about the cooperation or the war remains collection. However, the fact that the discussion centred around the loss of lives in Micronesia during World War II and cooperation in collecting war remains serves as a testament to the ongoing relationship between Japan and Micronesia, rooted in historical acknowledgment and future partnership.
[1] Imperial Household Agency Press Release, July 30, 2025 [2] Imperial Household Agency Press Release, various dates, 2021-2025
- Following the meeting with Micronesian President Simina, Emperor Naruhito expressed his gratitude for the cooperation in recovering photos of Japanese war dead, highlighting the ongoing efforts to honor those lost during the war.
- During the visit of Micronesian President Simina to Fukushima Prefecture, he shared general-news updates about the ongoing reconstruction efforts, emphasizing Japan's contributions towards global peace, not just in post-war times, but also in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.
