PRESS CONFERENCE
Palau President Visits Fukushima Ahead Of Water Release
Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau
13:30-14:30 Thursday, June 15, 2023
(The speech and Q & A will be in English.)
The tiny Pacific island nation of Palau, at 466 sq km in size with a population of under 20,000 people, stands at the forefront of the headwinds of climate change with rising sea levels posing a real existential threat, as well as other geopolitical challenges.
The Republic of 340 islands will bear the brunt of any impact – however unintended – of the imminent water release from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Japan, which has begun tests of the release scheduled for summer, stresses that safety is of its highest priority. The water will only be pumped into the Pacific Ocean after being treated using ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) technology, which can remove all harmful radioactive substances except the safe naturally-occurring tritium.
Meanwhile, as China seeks to poach diplomatic allies of Taiwan – which Beijing regards as a renegade province to be reunited by force if necessary – with its assertiveness and economic might, Palau remains one of the self-ruling democracy's 13 remaining allies.
Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr, who is on an official visit to Japan, will speak at the FCCJ about the outcomes of his trip. Mr Whipps, who was first elected in 2021, went to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and tasted local sashimi after visiting the Onahama frozen and refrigerated processing plant. He will also discuss his meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel.
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/mjaQDcthwjRzd7RY8
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event.
Professional Activities Committee