日パラオ首脳、関係強化を確認　石破首相「戦略的に重要」

　石破茂首相は１２日、太平洋の島国パラオのウィップス大統領と首相官邸で会談した。首相は「パラオは地理的、歴史的、戦略的に重要なパートナーだ。『自由で開かれたインド太平洋』の実現に向け、２国間関係を強化したい」と表明。大統領は「強固な信頼関係に基づき、関係を飛躍させたい」と述べた。両首脳はパラオの経済発展やインフラ整備などでの協力を確認した。（2025/02/12-18:13）

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. agreed Wednesday to reinforce bilateral ties for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
   Meeting with Whipps at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Ishida said the Pacific island nation is "a geographically, historically and strategically important partner."
   In response, the Palau president expressed willingness to elevate ties with Japan based on the strong foundation of trust.
   The leaders then affirmed cooperation for Palau's economic development and infrastructure construction.
   Meanwhile, Ishiba thanked Whipps for visiting Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant in June 2023 ahead of the release into the ocean of treated water from the meltdown-hit plant and supporting the Japan's claim that the water is environmentally safe.