15,176,746 (yen)

This project aims to promote mutual understanding between Japan and the Pacific island nations at the non-government level by inviting Pacific island media personnel to observe various facets of Japanese society. In FY 1994, ten journalists participated in the tour. After meeting with various groups and taking in aspects of traditional Japanese culture in Tokyo, the guests visited the island of Amami-Oshima,where they met with local residents, observed the progress of the islands environmental programs, and took part in a workshop on journalism in remote island communities. The visit was later reported in the media both in Japan and in the Pacific islands.

Translation and Publication of the Works of Hisakatsu Hijikata
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

7,896,616 (yen)

Prewar and wartime Japanese scholars compiled a considerable body of research on regions of the South Pacific then under Japanese rule. Today, as Pacific island cultures undergo rapid change, these studies have become precious records of traditional ways of life in the region. The works of Hisakatsu Hijikata, an amateur ethnographer who made extensive field observations in Micronesia before and during World War_, are regarded as among the most valuable in this respect. In order to make them available to English-speaking students and researchers in many countries, a number of his writings are being translated, published and donated to libraries, universities and research institutes in the Pacific Islands and throughout the world. This year, as the first volume of the translation was already attracting critical acclaim among Oceania scholars in Japan and considerable attention overseas, work was completed on the second volume, 1,000 copies of which were then donated to universities and libraries in several countries.

Island Meeting to discuss islands
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

2,069,172 (yen)

A meeting of Japanese intellectuals and opinion leaders was held with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding between Japan and the Pacific island nations. Under the guidance of SPINF as the project secretariat, some twenty participants, including ODA officials, environmentalists and representatives of island support groups, gathered on Amami-Oshima Island in southwest Japan. The participants delivered reports on their respective activities, engaged in vigorous discussions on island issues, and toured the host island to observe the efforts being made to stimulate its economy. They also formulated guidelines for creating an active network from the group, subsequent meetings of which would be held on different remote islands in Japan so as to strengthen ties among the host island communities. It was agreed, furthermore, that from FY 1995 the forum would include participants from the Pacific island region itself.

Japanese Language Course Development Project
University of the South Pacific (Fiji)

6,558,071 (yen)

The mounting influence of the Japanese economy on the Pacific island nations has generated a growing need for Japanese language education in the region. In response to this demand, the University of the South Pacific established classes in Japanese with a view to creating a bona fide Japanese language major. Courses were offered at the community level for people working in JapanŠ\related industries, university staff and others with a need to acquire Japanese language proficiency.

The Pacific Island Nations Scholarship Fund
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

10,549,292 (yen)

Aimed at fostering the human resources of the Pacific island nations, this program offers promising students from the region the opportunity to study at Japanese universities. This year, three students-one each from Micronesia, Kiribati and Fiji, were awarded scholarships to Asia University. The scholarships covered tuition and living expenses, and advisors were appointed to guide the students both in academic matters and in their daily life in Japan.

Regional Youth Conference
South Pacific Commission (New Caledonia)

6,395,448 (yen)

Some 40% of the total population of the Pacific island nations region is made up of people under the age of 26. Several of these countries have yet to establish comprehensive educational policies, leaving their young people with little opportunity to receive adequate vocational training. The distressing background to this situation is that the region is also suffering the adverse effects of rapid social change, such as increased alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide. This conference provides various people involved in tackling youth problems with important opportunities to meet and exchange ideas. In keeping with the Funds broader goal of helping the island nations forge and strengthen links with other regions of the world, the conference included a number of Asian participants who greatly informed discussions on the potential for enhanced Asia-Pacific cooperation.

Distance Education Development Study for the Pacific Region
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

18,482,768 (yen)

The use of satellites and other advanced technology for distance education is widely recognized as an effective solution to the geographical difficulties facing educators in the Pacific islands, a number of communication networks, including USPNET, PEACESAT, COLNet and PARTNERS, have already been utilized to that end. In this project, a study was conducted to clarify what can and should be done to help develop effective distance education programs in the region. Based on detailed on-site surveys and information gathered from a wide range of sources-including organizations involved in distance education in the Pacific islands, government agencies, the communications industry and Australian aid organizations- a survey committee formulated an extensive set of guidelines for fostering such schemes. The guidelines focus on upgrading the quality of existing networks for distance education, implementing experimental systems, and raising awareness of distance education among people in relevant fields. In framing criteria for evaluating distance education systems, the committee stressed such ideals as harmony with local communities, appropriateness of technology, innovation, effectiveness and sustainability. It also considered ways of trimming the cost of maintaining such systems, pointing specifically to the potential role of other Japanese aid organizations in fostering the USPNET network currently being reconstructed by the University of the South Pacific.