Summit between Japan, Pacific island nations kicks off

A summit meeting between leaders of Japan and Pacific island nations kicked off Friday afternoon in Fukushima Prefecture, focusing on measures to deal with disasters, climate change, maritime issues as well as reforms of the U.N. security council.

During the two-day meeting in Fukushima's Iwaki City, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will hold bilateral talks with 14 Pacific Islands countries' leaders. Ministers of Austria and New Zealand are also participating the meeting.

According to a Japanese Foreign Ministry official, Abe is expected to deliver a a keynote speech to unveil a new vision for Japanese diplomacy toward Pacific island states including an aid package over the next three years.

"It (aid package) is expected to exceed last summit's amount of 500 million U.S. dollars," said the official.

Participating countries are also expected to reaffirm their cooperation over reforms of the U.N. Security Council in the joint declaration which is scheduled to be released on Saturday, the official said.

Analysts believe that Japan is keen to ramp up its presence in the resource-rich region. As this year and next year are taken by Tokyo as "key node" to seek a permanent seat in U.N. Security Council, the summit may become a stage for the country to court more votes.

Japan has hosted the summit with the Pacific island nations once every three years since 1997. Endi