Message from the Resident Representative

Kaselehlie, Mogethin, Ran Annim and Len Wo!

Welcome to JICA Micronesia Website,

The Federated States of Micronesia is an island nation consisting of 607 islands and atolls scattered across a vast ocean area of about 3 million km² in the Micronesia region of Oceania. Like other Pacific island nations, it has characteristics such as: ① a small land area and population (smallness), ② land scattered across a wide ocean (isolation), ③ distance from major international markets and hubs (remote), and ④ surrounded by the sea and vulnerable to natural disasters (maritime), and there are many challenges related to these characteristics.

In the Micronesian region, there was a period when Japan administered the area under a League of Nations mandate from after World War I until the end of World War II. After the war, the Micronesian region became a United Nations trust territory under U.S. administration, but from 1986 it became the Independent Federated States of Micronesia. Japan has historically had a special relationship with this region; therefore the Federated States of Micronesia is an important partner for Japan.

The Federated States of Micronesia has entered into the Compact of Free Association with the United States at the time of independence. Since then, the United States has been entrusted with the country's defense and has provided economic assistance which is more than 40% of FSM’s revenue. Under this Compact, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia can easily study and work in the United States, which has led to population migration to the U.S. The population of FSM in 2023 has decreased by about 26% compared to 2010, to 75,000 people. The Compact is set to continue until 2043, but the challenge remains how to revitalize the economy and overcome financial vulnerability which depends on foreign economic assistance.

JICA began its cooperation with the Government of FSM in 1979 before its independence by accepting technical trainees in the field of fishery. JICA volunteer program was introduced in 1989 and JICA Micronesia Office was established in 1999 in Pohnpei. In recent years, it has focused on two main areas of cooperation to improve the challenging situation: (1) overcoming vulnerabilities and (2) environmental and climate change counter measures. In terms of overcoming vulnerabilities, the focus is on developing ports, airports, cargo-passenger vessels, and roads to enhance connectivity through grant aid cooperation, as well as on human capacity development in fields such as health and education by dispatching experts and volunteers. Regarding environmental and climate change counter measures, efforts include improving waste management and promoting the introduction of renewable energy.

Going forward, JICA will continue to contribute to overcoming the challenges of the Federated States of Micronesia, in coordination and cooperation with other Development Partners in order to maximize the development impact of its support. In this way, JICA will further strengthen the long-lasting friendship and trust between people of FSM and Japan.