The shocking news of the death of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after being shot at a political campaign event while delivering a speech in Nara, Japan on Friday last week is still being felt around the world. Yesterday Premier Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, currently in Fiji extended Niue’s condolences expressing his shock and deepest sympathies at the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Japan.
“During Mr Abe’s tenure as Prime Minister, he was instrumental in formalising diplomatic relations between Japan and Niue in 2015 with the late Premier Sir Toke… Mr Abe fostered good relations with Niue as part of a new partnership with the Pacific,” says Premier Tagelagi.
“Former Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Pokotoa Sipeli also met the former Prime Minister in 2018 during PALM8, where he expressed appreciation for Japan’s assistance, including grant assistance for grassroots human security project,” says Premier Tagelagi.
Premier Dalton Tagelagi said “Our thoughts and prayers are with Shinzo Abe’s wife and family and with the Government and people of Japan”
Japan is one of Niue’s largest contributing donors which includes the recent support for the Niue Health sector, through the purchase of vehicles as part of the Covid-19 response, and two years ago, also donated heavy machinery and equipment for the Ministry of Infrastructure.