Embassy of Japan in Samoa

18/09/2026

17/09/2026

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Project on Improvement of Facilities for the NUS Faculty of Health Science（17 September, 2026）
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Project on Improvement of Facilities for the National University of Samoa (NUS) Faculty of Health Science, funded under Japan’s Grant Aid, was held at the NUS campus.

The ceremony was attended by Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Prime Minister of Samoa, Cabinet Ministers, representatives of NUS, JICA, the design and construction companies, other stakeholders, and H.E. Mr. Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa.

The project is being implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Japan’s Grant Aid, following the Exchange of Notes signed in February 2024, which provided grant assistance of up to JPY 2.401 billion (approximately WST 48 million). The project will provide new education facilities for the NUS Faculty of Health Science, including lecture rooms, a library, medical simulation and laboratory spaces, and a lecture theatre. These facilities will strengthen the learning environment and support the education and training of Samoa’s future healthcare professionals.

In his remarks, Ambassador Suzuki noted that Japan’s partnership with NUS dates back to support for the development of the Le Papaigalagala Campus in the 1990s, followed by grant aid for Samoa Polytechnic and JICA’s technical cooperation in technical and vocational education. He stated that the present project builds on this long-standing partnership.

Ambassador Suzuki also welcomed the project’s transition into the construction phase and expressed his expectations for its successful implementation and contribution to the development of Samoa’s future healthcare professionals.

The Government of Japan remains committed to supporting Samoa in the areas of health, education and human resource development.

13/09/2026

11/09/2026

WASHOKU Cooking Workshop at the National University of Samoa (11 September 2026)

On Friday, 11 September 2026, the Embassy of Japan in Samoa held a WASHOKU (Japanese cuisine) cooking workshop for approximately 30 students enrolled in the Certificate II in Cookery programme at the National University of Samoa (NUS).

The practical workshop was led by Mr. Masayuki HIGASHI, the Embassy’s official chef. Students learned how to prepare nigiri sushi and Japanese clear soup using ingredients available in Samoa. They were also introduced to aspects of Japanese dining culture, including the proper use of chopsticks. The students expressed interest in being able to prepare Japanese dishes using ingredients available in Samoa and said that they hoped to apply the cooking skills they learned in their future careers.

H.E. Mr. Ryotaro SUZUKI, Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, observed the workshop. Lecturers from the NUS Cookery and Food & Beverage programmes also supported the students throughout the workshop.

Through this hands-on cooking experience, the students developed practical culinary skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese food culture. The Embassy of Japan will continue to support opportunities that promote mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Samoa.

04/09/2026

The newly appointed Ombudsman of Samoa, Afioga Vui Clarence Nelson, paid a courtesy visit to the Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Excellency Ryotaro Suzuki, at the Ambassador’s Office in Apia today.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the newly appointed Ombudsman and the Ambassador to meet and exchange greetings, while strengthening the relationship between the Ombudsman’s Office and the Embassy of Japan in Samoa.

The courtesy meeting also reflects the importance of maintaining positive engagement and dialogue between Samoa’s national institutions and diplomatic missions accredited to Samoa.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman and the Ambassador also discussed possible collaboration on potential projects aimed at assisting and rehabilitating children who come into contact or conflict with the law. This potential area of collaboration highlights the shared importance of supporting children and promoting their rehabilitation, wellbeing and positive reintegration into their communities.

The Ombudsman expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador and acknowledged the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Samoa and Japan.

The Ombudsman’s Office looks forward to maintaining constructive engagement with the Embassy of Japan and other development and diplomatic partners in support of good governance, accountability, human rights and the effective delivery of services to the people of Samoa.
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Na feiloai atu le Komesina o Sulufa’iga o Samoa, Afioga Vui Clarence Nelson, i le Amepasa o Iapani i Samoa, Afioga Ryotaro Suzuki, i le Ofisa o le Amepasa i Apia i le asō.

O lenei feiloa’iga o se avanoa mo le Komesina o Sulufa’iga fou ma le Amapasa e fefa’asoaa’i ai i le faalauteleina ma le faatumauina o le faiga paaga i le va o Samoa ma Iapani.

Na fa’ailoa ai fo’i le tāua o le fa’aauauina o le mafutaga lelei, e ala i fesoota’iga ma fefaasoaaiga i le va o fa’alapotopotoga a le Malo o Samoa ma Faalapotopotoga Faava-o-malo ua aloa’ia ma o lo o galulue i Samoa.

Sa talanoaina ai foi ni avanoa e galulue fa’atasi ai Ofisa e lua, mo ni poloketi e fesoasoani ai i le toe fuataina le ola o fanau o lo’o a’afia i le tulafono. O lenei vaega ua fa’ailoa mai ai le tāua o le tapu’eina o ola o fanau, fa’apea le una’ia o le toe fuataina o lo latou ola,soifua manuia ma le toe foi atu i totonu o aiga ma afio’aga.

Na fa’ailoa e le Komesina o Sulufa’iga lona agaga fa’afetai mo le avanoa e feiloa’i ai ma le Afioga i le Amepasa, ma fa’ailoa ai fo’i le tāua o le mafutaga fa’auō ma le galulue fa’apa’aga ua loa tausaga i le va o le Malo o Samoa ma le Malo o Iapani.

Ma o le a fa’aauauina pea lea fa’apa’aga ma le Ofisa o le Amapasa o Iapani, fa’apea ma isi pa’aga tau atina’e ma faava-o-malo, mo le lagolagoina o pulega lelei, le unaia o tiute ma matafaioi, e ala i le puipuiga o aia tatau a tagata, ma le fa’atinoina lelei o auaunaga mo tagata lautele o Samoa.

01/09/2026

【Messages from Ambassador Suzuki:A New Step in Our Partnership of Hope with SVSG】

Recently, we held the signing ceremony for a Grant Contract under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Projects (GGP) with the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG). I wish to express my deepest respect and gratitude to SVSG for their unwavering dedication to protecting and supporting vulnerable individuals, including children and families.

SVSG's "Campus of Hope" is a vital place where children affected by sexual and domestic violence can find refuge, learn, and grow. I had the privilege of visiting this facility previously and deeply felt SVSG's strong commitment to the healthy development of these children. Japan has consistently supported SVSG; for example, our assistance in 2020 helped build "Sakura House," a shelter that has become an irreplaceable base for protecting many lives. In addition to facility development through GGP, Japan also dispatches Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to SVSG, providing human support in education and care.

This new assistance aims to expand SVSG's school facilities. The new building will include classrooms, a livelihood training room, a library, and necessary toilet facilities. This is a crucial step to meet the increasing demand for SVSG's educational and support services, enabling children and youth to receive a safer and higher quality education and to foster hope for their future.

For Japan, this project is a clear example of our steadfast commitment to "human security." Our long-standing collaborative relationship with SVSG symbolizes this strong bond.

I am confident that once this new facility is completed, it will provide a better and safer environment for more children and young people to learn, grow, and build confidence for their future.

It is always a true privilege for us to partner with SVSG. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to build a brighter future for Samoan society, ensuring that vulnerable individuals can live with hope.

【Messages from Ambassador Suzuki】

On a rainy day of the 20th, I visited the facilities of the Samoa Victim Support Group. This facility, named " Campus of Hope," provides refuge for children affected by sexual violence and domestic violence. At the time of my visit, there were 99 children; 70 of them were girls up to 20 years old, 29 were boys up to 11 years old, and there were also 6 babies under 1 year old. Additionally, there were 2 teenage girls who had unwanted pregnancies. There are children here not only because they have been victims of violence but also because they can no longer live with their parents due to disabilities and other reasons. These numbers are a result of the facility's capacity, and the actual needs are greater, they say.

At the facility, the manager and the president of the support group, Siliniu Lina Chang, greeted me. As I mentioned in the article about Samoa's hina matsuri, a considerable number of girls in Samoa are subjected to domestic violence and human rights violations. Many of these cases are often covered up, especially since older perpetrators tend to be protected within Samoa's extended family system, leading to a lack of transparency in how cases are handled. Moreover, cases taken up by the police for criminal prosecution are limited.

The facility has a 24-hour help line that is publicised through schools and other means. When reports are received from victims, they are prepared to respond immediately and provide emergency assistance.

For the systematic relief of such victims, it is essential that the existence of the "problem" is widely recognised. The activities of this centre play a valuable role in documenting these realities and presenting them as evidence.

Japan also supports this group through grassroots initiatives, aiding in the construction of shelters and the rebuilding of crime victim support centres. The shelter was named "Sakura House."

31/08/2026

【Call for Applications】
Funding Opportunity under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Projects (GGP)
The Embassy of Japan is accepting applications for Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Projects for Japanese Fiscal Year 2027 (1 April 2027～31 March 2028) (e-mail accepted).

Period and Venue for Submission of Application:
• The deadline is 30 October 2026.
• Embassy of Japan Physical Address: Level 2, B-Building, SNPF Plaza, Savalalo, Apia OR e-Mail accepted
Grant Amount:
• Generally up to JPY20,000,000 (Approximately WST355,000).
Eligible Applicants:
• Non-Government Organisations
• Non-Profit Organisations such as local public authorities, educational institutions and medical institutions
• Non-Profit Organisations that implement development projects at the grass-roots level
Eligible Project Areas:
• Basic Human Needs
• Social Welfare
• Basic Educational and Human Resource Development
• Environmental Protection/ Disaster Relief
• Reduce Vulnerability
Examples of past projects:
• Construction/Renovation of School Building
• Construction of Hospital / Health Centre Building
• Construction of Water Supply System
• Procurement of Medical Equipment/ Fire and Emergency Services Equipment

For detailed information and Application Form:
https://www.ws.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/bilateral_relations.html

For Inquiry:
Embassy of Japan (GGP Coordinator)
Phone: 21187
email: [email protected]

27/08/2026

The Embassy of Japan welcomed five Samoan students who will soon depart for Japan under JICA’s SDGs Global Leadership Program, together with Ms. Aumua Geraldine Karita, a recipient of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, for a dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence.

The five JICA SDGs Global Leadership Program participants are Ms. Alice Elise Jodi Tiligi Apulu (Rikkyo University), Ms. Nukufetau Muaulu (International University of Japan), Ms. Seruia Alpha Loama (International University of Japan), Ms. Patisepa Maugata Milikini (Ritsumeikan University), and Mr. Manu Solomona (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University).

The six students will leave Samoa for Japan from late August through September to begin their studies at universities in different regions of Japan.

Ambassador Suzuki encouraged the students to make the most of their time in Japan, pursue their studies with dedication, and use the knowledge and experience they gain to contribute to Samoa’s future development and further strengthen the friendship between Japan and Samoa.

We wish them every success in their studies and a rewarding experience in Japan!！

27/08/2026

【Signing Ceremony of The Project for the School Expansion of Samoa Victims Support Group under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Projects (GGP) (August 27, 2026)】

The Government of Japan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the unwavering dedication of the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) in protecting and supporting vulnerable members of the Samoan community through its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Projects (GGP).

A singing ceremony was held earlier today (27 August) at the SVSG compound in Tuanaimato, to mark the signing of the approved grant of up to SAT 357,797 between His Excellency, Mr. SUZUKI Ryotaro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa and Siliniu Lina Chang, President of SVSG.

The assistance will support the construction of a new one-storey school building that includes one classroom, a livelihood training room, a library and toilet facilities.

The expansion is intended to respond to the growing demand for SVSG’s educational and support services. The existing facilities are no longer sufficient to accommodate the increasing number of children and young people benefiting from SVSG’s programmes.

The new building will provide a safer and better environment for learning while also creating additional opportunities for livelihood training and skills development.

Japan has previously supported SVSG through its GGP programme in 2014 and 2020. This reflects Japan’s longstanding commitment to SVSG’s work in protecting and supporting vulnerable members of the Samoan community, particularly children, women and families.

The Government of Japan places great importance on human security, an approach that the GGP puts in practice by providing small and flexible grants to support community-level development projects.

The project is expected to directly benefit students, women residing in the shelters and teachers including volunteers

The Government of Japan remains proud to partner with the Samoa Victim Support Group and the people of Samoa through initiatives that contribute to the protection, empowerment and development of vulnerable members of the community.
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【草の根無償資金協力 贈与契約署名式（2026年８月27日）サモア犯罪被害者支援グループ学校増築計画】

2026年８月27日、「サモア犯罪被害者支援グループ学校増築計画」に係る贈与契約署名式が、ウポル島トゥアナイマト村に所在する希望学校において執り行われ、鈴木亮太郎大使と同グループ代表のシリニウ・リナ・チャン氏との間で、草の根無償資金協力（GGP）に係る贈与契約書への署名が行われました。

本計画では、サモア犯罪被害者支援グループに対し、限度額357,797サモア・タラ（約135,017米ドル相当）が供与され、希望学校に校舎1棟（１階建て、延べ床面積247.72m²）が新たに建設されます。同校舎には、教室1室、家庭科室、図書室及びトイレ（4個室、手洗い場1か所）が設けられる予定です。本計画の実施により、同校に通う生徒及び教員が、安全で適切な環境の下で学習・教育活動を行うことが可能となります。さらに、同施設はサモア国内で唯一の犯罪被害者支援・保護施設であることから、緊急時における女性及び男児の安全な保護・教育拠点としての機能が一層強化されることが期待されます。

我が国政府は、本計画が滞りなく完了し、地域コミュニティに長期にわたって持続的かつ有益な効果をもたらし続けることを強く期待しています。今後も我が国は、草の根無償資金協力（GGP）を通じて持続可能な開発の推進に尽力するとともに、すべての人々の生活の質の向上を目指し、現地パートナーとの緊密な協力関係を一層強化してまいります。

26/08/2026

【Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Conducts Boarding Inspection Training with the Samoa Maritime Police】

From August 17 (Mon) to 20 (Thu), joint boarding inspection training was conducted in Apia, the capital of Samoa, between members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Samoan police officers from the Samoa Maritime Police.
This marks the second joint training exercise held in Samoa, following last year’s training.
The participants engaged in serious training aimed at improving their skills, and the opportunity also fostered deeper exchanges and mutual understanding between those responsible for the safety of the citizens of Japan and Samoa.