Solomon Islands and Japan have signed a Grant Agreement for the Project for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade said.

The agreement was signed on Thursday 10 October 2026 by the Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon Rexon Ramofafia, and the Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki. The Supervising Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon John Tuhaika Jnr, attended, along with representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Honiara and officials from government ministries.

According to the ministry, the agreement allows three more Solomon Islanders to be selected in the project's third cohort to study in Japan next year. Eight Solomon Islanders have been awarded the scholarship since the project began last year.

Mr Ramofafia told the ceremony the scholarship was money put into the country's people. He said it would build the high-level skills needed for policy work in fields such as law, economics and climate change, and that scholars would come home with knowledge to strengthen national institutions, improve policymaking and support public services.

Mr Kawasaki said the signing reflected a shared commitment to investing in people. "Through the JDS Program, government officials have the opportunity to study in Japan, gain new knowledge and skills, and contribute to the development of Solomon Islands upon their return," he said, adding that the programme mainly targets young public servants working in policy formulation and leadership.

The ministry said Japan has been a development partner of Solomon Islands for more than four decades, with help in areas such as infrastructure, health, education and fisheries. It said the government thanked the Government and people of Japan, JICA and other partners involved in the programme.

Source: Based on a Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade press release published on the Solomon Islands Government portal (solomons.gov.sb) on 28 October 2026. https://solomons.gov.sb/solomon-islands-and-japan-sign-grant-agreement-for-human-resources-development-scholarship/