Japan has formalized a new grant of 313 million yen (approximately FJ$4.6 million) to Fiji through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, aimed at procuring medical equipment under Japan’s Economic Social Development Program (ESDP).
The announcement was made during the Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement ceremony, which highlighted the ongoing Lomavata–Kizuna Partnership signed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi in November 2025.
Japan’s Ambassador to Fiji, Hiroshi Tajima, noted that the grant reinforces the bilateral partnership and that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would provide technical support for the initiative.
As part of ongoing health projects, Japan and Project HEAVEN Trust signed a grant contract on 23 January for a four-wheel-drive Mobile Audiovisual Examination vehicle, equipped with soundproofing and specialised instruments to bring hearing and vision screening services directly to Fijians.
Additionally, on 3 March, Japan and UNICEF will sign a USD$5.48 million, four-year initiative aimed at preventing drug use among children and youths in Fiji, addressing the country’s national drug emergency.
Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, described the grant as an investment in the health workforce of tomorrow and in improving access to care across the country. The funding will support the procurement of essential medical equipment, including teaching aids for nursing students at the Fiji National University, a mobile clinic, and a mobile dental truck.
The grant marks a continuation of Japan’s commitment to enhancing health infrastructure, capacity building, and educational support in Fiji, reflecting the broader objectives of the Lomavata–Kizuna Partnership.
