Prime Minister Derek Sikua and delegation yesterday in Tokyo met with various Japanese leaders of the Japan-Solomon Islands Friendship Association.

They are President lssei lnoue, the Director Kiyoshi Takahama, former Japanese Charge d' Affaires to Solomon Islands, and other representatives of the Japan-Solomon Islands Friendship Association, over breakfast.

Early this year, Messrs Inoue and Takahama visited Honiara and also had a meeting with the Prime Minister during which they donated funding for a youth programme, to facilitate youths from Solomon Islands to visit Japan.

The Ministry of Women, Youth and Children are currently working on the selection of an essay competition for this programme.

The President of the Association told the Prime Minister in Tokyo that the Association is keen to promote further understanding and cooperation between Japan and Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Sikua in response expressed his Government's appreciation for the work and contribution that the Association has been doing and continues to do in promoting closer friendship and relations between the peoples of Japan and Solomon Islands.