A Farewell Message from Ambassador TAKEUCHI Midori
2024/11/28
Having completed nearly three years in Maldives, I will be returning to Japan on December 18, 2024. I will be succeeded by the Ambassador ISHIGAMI Rumiko who is former Consul-General of Japan in Hagatna.
What left the deepest impression on me was learning about and having the opportunity to share the contributions of many individuals who helped strengthen the relationship between Japan and Maldives. There are four individuals in particular whom I would like to highlight.
One such person is Mr. SATO Takehisa, who provided fisheries guidance in the Maldives in the 1960s and is remembered through his name being associated with Satho-Rahaa (It is a seamount located at 1°18′north latitude and 73°18′east latitude and is still known as a productive fishing spot) and Satho-Bulhi (a type of lure used in pole-and-line tuna fishing) Another is Mr. SAKAMOTO Tokihiko, the first Japanese volunteer to teach swimming and judo in Maldives. He also served as the manager of Vadhoo Resort, welcoming tourists, and contributed to conservation efforts by studying the ecology of sea turtles. Additionally, Dr. YAJIMA Hikoichi, honorary professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, who discovered a manuscript of the Maldives Chronicle, a historical book written in Arabic under the Sultan’s order and published its English translation. Finally, Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, who served as Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Japan for seven years.
I hope these remarkable contributions are widely appreciated and recognized. Furthermore, I am impressed by the exchanges between people in various fields, which have played a significant role in fostering the strong friendship between our two nations today.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the installation of Yanmar engines on the Maldives' traditional boats, “Dhoni”. This was a significant turning point that revolutionized the Maldives' fishing industry. And the skills for maintaining and repairing the engines were also transferred.
Since the 1970s, Japan has supported the construction of schools in the local islands and contributing significantly to the improvement of education across the Maldives. Among the major aid projects that symbolize Japan’s commitment are the seawall that protected Malé from the tsunami, the Social Center that continues to be used for various events even more than 30 years after its construction, and the four modern schools in Malé.
We also have sincerely followed in the footsteps of those who came before us and have worked diligently to formulate and implement projects for the development of the Maldives. These include building resilient islands to withstand climate change, installing digital terrestrial television broadcasting, supporting fishing industry, providing approximately 30 JICA training programs annually, and the JDS scholarship program, which has been running for five years and allows six government officials to pursue master's degrees in Japan per year. I am also pleased to see that the emergency vehicles, fire engines, and garbage collection trucks donated by Japan are supporting to address various challenges faced by the people of the Maldives.
The Maldives is an important partner for Japan in promoting a FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific) and have a solid cooperation on the international stage. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served on the front lines of building our relationship here, and I sincerely hope that the relationship between Japan and Maldives will continue to prosper, both in the present, and future.
TAKEUCHI Midori (Mrs.)
Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives
What left the deepest impression on me was learning about and having the opportunity to share the contributions of many individuals who helped strengthen the relationship between Japan and Maldives. There are four individuals in particular whom I would like to highlight.
One such person is Mr. SATO Takehisa, who provided fisheries guidance in the Maldives in the 1960s and is remembered through his name being associated with Satho-Rahaa (It is a seamount located at 1°18′north latitude and 73°18′east latitude and is still known as a productive fishing spot) and Satho-Bulhi (a type of lure used in pole-and-line tuna fishing) Another is Mr. SAKAMOTO Tokihiko, the first Japanese volunteer to teach swimming and judo in Maldives. He also served as the manager of Vadhoo Resort, welcoming tourists, and contributed to conservation efforts by studying the ecology of sea turtles. Additionally, Dr. YAJIMA Hikoichi, honorary professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, who discovered a manuscript of the Maldives Chronicle, a historical book written in Arabic under the Sultan’s order and published its English translation. Finally, Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, who served as Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Japan for seven years.
I hope these remarkable contributions are widely appreciated and recognized. Furthermore, I am impressed by the exchanges between people in various fields, which have played a significant role in fostering the strong friendship between our two nations today.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the installation of Yanmar engines on the Maldives' traditional boats, “Dhoni”. This was a significant turning point that revolutionized the Maldives' fishing industry. And the skills for maintaining and repairing the engines were also transferred.
Since the 1970s, Japan has supported the construction of schools in the local islands and contributing significantly to the improvement of education across the Maldives. Among the major aid projects that symbolize Japan’s commitment are the seawall that protected Malé from the tsunami, the Social Center that continues to be used for various events even more than 30 years after its construction, and the four modern schools in Malé.
We also have sincerely followed in the footsteps of those who came before us and have worked diligently to formulate and implement projects for the development of the Maldives. These include building resilient islands to withstand climate change, installing digital terrestrial television broadcasting, supporting fishing industry, providing approximately 30 JICA training programs annually, and the JDS scholarship program, which has been running for five years and allows six government officials to pursue master's degrees in Japan per year. I am also pleased to see that the emergency vehicles, fire engines, and garbage collection trucks donated by Japan are supporting to address various challenges faced by the people of the Maldives.
The Maldives is an important partner for Japan in promoting a FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific) and have a solid cooperation on the international stage. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served on the front lines of building our relationship here, and I sincerely hope that the relationship between Japan and Maldives will continue to prosper, both in the present, and future.
TAKEUCHI Midori (Mrs.)
Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives