GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and visiting members of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly on Friday vowed to build a stronger relationship for a better and “new future together.”
Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Chair Nakamoto Takashi led the delegation’s visit to the CNMI, ahead of the 80th anniversary of atomic bomb detonation over Hiroshima, that will be commemorated on Aug. 6, 2025.
Tinian was the launching point for the atomic bomb attacks against Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
“We would like to invite you governor, the lt. governor and the Saipan mayor to the [commemoration] event [in Japan] so we can send a message to the world together. Leaders all over the world will be coming. And it will be a very important timing so please consider joining us. We strongly hope that it will be a great start to build a new relationship,” Takashi said.
The delegation, which included members of the Hiroshima Prefecture business community, was also scheduled to visit Tinian on Friday.
Takashi thanked the governor and the lieutenant governor for welcoming them, saying, “we are very happy to be here. Thank you very much for having us.”
He told the governor that when Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Chris Concepcion visited him at his office last summer, “he explained that we both had sad times 80 years ago. And he had a very strong message, ‘Let’s start a new relationship between Hiroshima and the NMI,’ and we are for a strong relationship, that is why we are here today.”
Usually, he said, starting such a relationship takes time. “But we are lucky because this year marks the 80th year since World War II, so this event, along with the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to a group of atomic bomb survivors last year, speeds up everything,” he added.
Governor Palacios thanked the Hiroshima delegation for visiting the islands. “I know this year holds a very significant meaning for each and every one of you, especially those of you from Hiroshima, and we welcome you,” he added.
It was a very significant occasion to have “such honorable individuals present on Saipan today,” he said.
“We’ve never had so many distinguished individuals from government and the business sector visit here at one time so we are very happy that you are here and we really do hope that you continue to enjoy your stay for the next few days,” the governor told the visitors.
Apatang, for his part, said, “We really love to welcome you to our home. Some of our friends from Japan, this is also their home. It’s always a pleasure to welcome our friends from Japan. We’ve been family for a long time.”
He said Japan and the Northern Marianas share a common history, which is why “you have a place in our hearts.”
“It’s always a pleasure to have you guys here — we are looking forward to continue a relationship with you guys. And I hope that our Japanese friends will come back to the Commonwealth. And hopefully you can stay here and open up businesses,” Apatang said.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, second left, first row, shakes hands with Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Chair Nakamoto Takashi, third left, while Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang shakes hands with Hayashi Daizo, the chair of the assembly’s Special Committee for International Peace, Multi-cultural Coexistence, and Promoting Investment in People, as they pose for a photo with other members of the assembly in the governor’s conference room on Friday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, right, addresses the visiting members of the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly, as Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, left, listens in the conference room of the governor’s office on Friday.
