This project provides an opportunity for journalists in the Pacific Island Region to deepen their understanding of social problems unique to Japan--a country with a very different culture from theirs--as well as the relationship between Japan and Pacific Island countries, aiming to develop their reporting capabilities. The project also intends　to foster journalists who can write articles from a Pacific Island point of view, reflecting their own values. SPF provided training using coverage and reporting on the Fourth Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Meeting held in Okinawa, energy problems, and issues related to US bases in Yokosuka and Okinawa in fiscal 2006, the initial year of the project. In fiscal 2007, SPF provided training on the theme of tourism using coverage and reporting on the "Visit Japan" campaign, Japanese tourist culture as seen in a visit to Ise Shrine; and an island economic development project designed to make the island attractive for tourists.
In fiscal 2008, the final year of the project, SPF screened application materials from journalists in the Pacific Island Region and selected three journalists--from Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Kingdom of Tonga--to invite them to Japan October 13-18, 2008. The selected journalists covered and reported on fishery activities in Tokyo and Wakayama Prefecture (Nachi-Katsuura and Taiji). In particular, they reported on topics including the government's policy on fisheries, dietary education at elementary schools to promote a culinary culture of fish to the next generation, and traditional whale hunting. SPF also focused on tuna (Pacific Island countries catch large volumes of tuna), encouraging the journalists to report on tuna auctions at the Tsukiji Fish Market, the sale at supermarkets and actual situations at tuna fishing sites.
Under the direction of Floyd Takeuchi, publisher of Pacific Magazine, the selected journalists wrote six to seven articles each, 19 in total. These articles were distributed via each journalist's media company, as well as on the web-based Pacific Magazine.
Over the three years of the project, a total of nine journalists from the Pacific Island Region were given the opportunity to visit Japan for training to enhance their coverage and reporting capabilities.
While aiding the journalists in self-development, SPF also contributed to a deepening of their understanding of Japan. The journalists are actively engaged in their profession back in their countries. With this project as a start, some of the journalists hope to have another opportunity to work in Japan, and SPF believes they will lead the future of journalism in the Pacific Island Region.