JICA Vanuatu Office

Welcome to the JICA Vanuatu Office Website. My name is Toshio Nakamura, the Resident Representative of the JICA Vanuatu Office. I am very delighted that you have decided to visit our website and see what JICA Vanuatu is all about.

On a more personal note, the country of Vanuatu is very special because it has some memorable moments in my memoirs. I have treasured these landmark occasions for all my life. It all happened nearly twenty years ago when I first visited Vanuatu as a JICA study team member on the project for the improvement of the Bauer Field Airport Terminal Building. Upon arrival, our study team held very intensive discussions with the counterparts at the Ministry of Civil Aviation. We eventually reached an agreement on the cooperation. I remember it quite well because it was the day before our departure. Throughout the discussion, I was virtually captured by the local’s sincerity and great zeal for the realization of the project. In addition, the country was very rich with the untouched natural serenity and natural resources, but most of all, I will never forget the local hospitality. It was all smiles everywhere I went. All these experiences gave me a very good and unforgettable impression about this tiny island nation. Looking at the green landscape of Efate Island through the window as the jet plane was taking off from the Bauer Field Airport, I wished for a second chance for a return to this country another time.

Twenty years have elapsed since that visit and today my wish has become a reality. At the offset, it did feel a little strange when I stepped out of the plane and onto the tarmac at Bauer Field International Airport early this year. I realized that I had stepped into destiny because twenty years ago, I was inside a plane taking off from this very airport, wishing for an opportune moment to return to this place. I have made it and this time it’s all work for me.

Today, our core tasks here in Vanuatu are quite simple, but challenging as well. JICA currently sends JOCV Volunteers, Senior Volunteers and technical experts to Vanuatu, and provides technical training programs for the Vanuatu people in Japan or third countries, and also implements grant-aid programs. The purpose of JICA programs is to assist the local’s endeavor to develop their own country. Therefore, our immediate task is to continue these JICA programs in accordance with Vanuatu’s needs.

We recognize what the aid donors such as Australia, China, EU, France, New Zealand, US and other countries and international organizations have done and are currently implementing with regards to good cooperation projects in Vanuatu which deserve great praise and acknowledgement. We will continue to collaborate with these donor countries and international organizations for the better implementation of future development projects. This is our second task. In October 2008, JICA merged with the departments in charge of soft loans, namely Japanese ODA loan, of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The new JICA is now recognized as the largest bilateral aid agency in the world. As part of the new JICA, our new task is to formulate projects for the new JICA. These activities include integrated technical cooperation programs, grant-aid programs and Japanese ODA.

Since the establishment of the JICA Vanuatu Office in 1988, our Japanese and Ni-Vanuatu officers have continuously worked together for the greater development of Vanuatu. All of us at JICA Vanuatu are very proud and determined in building a sold and reliable reputation that defines the JICA establishment in this day and age. We will continue to fulfill our mission. We will always appreciate your outermost support and understanding

Thank you very much. Tankio tumas.

Toshio Nakamura, Resident Representative
JICA Vanuatu Office