JICA PNG Office announces change of Chief Representative

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Papua New Guinea Office announces change of its Chief Representative from Mr. MATSUOKA Hideaki to Mr. SHIROUZU Kenichi on 15th of April. Mr. MATSUOKA has served as the Chief Representative of the office since September 2023 and ends his tenure leaving the country on 19 April. He will go back to JICA headquarters in Tokyo. Mr. SHIROUZU Kenichi has been serving as the Senior Representative (deputy Chief) since April 2025 and takes over the position of Chief Representative as of 15th April. Here are greetings from both Mr. MATSUOKA and Mr. SHIROUZU.

Mr. MATSUOKA:
　　　　　I have had a wonderful time working with the government and people of PNG in the last 2 years and 7 months. We at JICA have been working in this country as an implementing body of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) since 1974, one year prior to the country’s independence. Currently, we have 3 pillars on our activities: promoting industries including infrastructure development; improvement of social services, namely education and health sector; and environmental protection and fight against climate change, and all of them are aligned with the strategies and policies of PNG, such as Vision 2050 and Medium-Term Development Plans. During the past 5 decades, the government of Japan and JICA have cooperated with the government and people of PNG through various schemes such as ODA loans, grants and technical cooperation and the total amount of expenditure is approximately 6.8 billion Kina at the current exchange rate. We have also dispatched more than 3,000 experts and missions, over 800 JICA volunteers, and received nearly 5,000 government officials from PNG for training in Japan in various sectors since we started our cooperation.
　　　　　Since I came to this country in 2023, I really enjoyed meeting with people and that made me really happy with their heartfulness, kindness and generosity. I believe this is based on our strong trust and bonds that were built on the tireless efforts of our predecessors in the last 5 decades.
　　　　　While there were many achievements during my tenure, I cannot mention all of them due to the limit of space. However, I like to pick up some of our notable efforts as follows.
　　　　　Just 2 weeks after my arrival in PNG, we had a grand opening ceremony of Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport on 2nd October 2023 where Prime Minister Hon. James Marape also attended. A moving story of this was that this airport was renamed using the Japanese word “Tomodachi” (meaning friendship) with the idea of PM Marape.
　　　　　On 17th October 2024, the Embassy of Japan and JICA in collaboration with the government of PNG celebrated the 50th anniversary of Japan’s ODA in PNG inviting dignitaries from the government of PNG, development partners and private sector etc. I sincerely appreciate the government of PNG which generously cooperated with us to make this event happen, especially National Fisheries Authority (NFA). In fact, the study on establishment of National Fisheries College (NFC) in Kavieng was the very first project with which our ODA in PNG initiated in 1974. I feel truly grateful that the new project with NFA extending the function of NFC was announced in June 2025 coinciding with the Golden Jubilee of PNG’s independence.
　　　　　Our JICA volunteers who work with rural communities also play important roles in sustaining our friendship between the two nations. Although our volunteer program had been suspended during the COVID pandemic, it resumed in August 2023. Since then, 22 volunteers were assigned to Sogeri, Kwikila, Popondetta, Goroka, Kokopo, Rabaul, and Alotau. They have been working with the local communities in various sectors such as education, agriculture, IT, nursing, community development, environmental education, etc. Last year, 2025, marked not only the Golden Jubilee of PNG’s independence, but also the 60th anniversary of JICA’s volunteer program. And PM Marape kindly gave us a congratulatory video message representing 99 countries, which received JICA volunteers in the last 6 decades, and the video was played on the ceremony in Tokyo with the presence of our Emperor and Empress on 13th November 2025.
　　　　　In education sector, JICA and the National Department of Education (NDoE) developed mathematics and science textbooks from Grade 3 to Grade 6 and distributed them to the entire country, which was the first time for PNG to have its own math and science textbooks. Based on this experience, the NDoE with the support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) developed Grade 1 and 2 math textbooks. In education sector, JICA has been playing a key role in coordinating with the NDoE as well as other development partners, such as UNICEF.
　　　　　We also promote gender equality in all of our activities and projects, such as equal participation of men and women to our training programs and so on. Furthermore, we celebrate the International Women’s Day on 8th March every year organizing a walking event in collaboration with National Capital District Commission and UN Women. Since JICA joined the event in 2022, the participants increased year by year, and there were more than 1,500 participants including PM Marape on the event this year. We should always remind ourselves of the importance of gender equality in our daily life and take actions to protect women and girls.
　　　　　Besides it, we have also conducted many projects with our PNG government counterparts in various sectors, such as good governance like public finance management and election, road and port management, agriculture, power supply, fight against lymphatic filariasis, waste management, sustainable forest management, etc. and all of them are valuable and unforgettable experiences to me.
　　　　　I should also admit that there are still many challenges in PNG for its economic and social development. However, I believe that this country has great potential to develop further with its rich natural and human resources. I now recall the first time I came to PNG in 2000 as a consultant involved in a community water supply project. Compared to that era 25 years ago, I witnessed the development of this country and that gave me confidence that this country could surely develop with its own efforts. Thus, I would humbly ask the leaders of this country, politicians, government officials, community leaders, etc., to think seriously about the happiness of people, especially women and children, and continue making efforts and taking actions with right will and integrity. By doing so, I believe this country has a bright future with which more people thrive and enjoy happier lives.
　　　　　Lastly, once again, I would appreciate every one of this country for your kindness, generosity, and friendship with me and JICA. Tenkiu Tru, and Arigato Gozaimashita.

Mr. SHIROUZU:
　　　　　Over the past 20 years, I have been engaged in JICA projects primarily in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Myanmar. I was assigned to PNG one year ago, and since then I have felt the expectations for and trust in JICA on various occasions. While PNG faces various development challenges such as infrastructure, education, and health, I also believe significant potential of PNG, including its natural and human resources. I would like to continue contributing to the development of this beautiful country as well as to the strengthening of the relationship between PNG and Japan.

　　　　　With their greetings, once again, we at JICA will commit ourselves to continuously work with the government and people of Papua New Guinea for the betterment of the country and strong bonds between the two nations.