What happened?
On 16 July, Japan held the 10th Pacific Island Leaders Meeting in Tokyo. The meeting was attended by representatives of 18 Pacific Island Forum members. Japanese Prime Minster Fumio Kishida also participated in the meeting where he said: “I'd like to make ties between Japan and the Pacific Island nations stronger and demonstrate to the rest of the world that we are moving in the same direction.” The summit ended with a joint declaration issued by the member countries on peace and security in the region, strengthening economic ties, and Climate Change and Disaster management measures. The declaration also asserted that they oppose: “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by the threat or use of force or coercion,” hinting at China’s aggressive posture in the region. 

On 18 July, the summit's final day, member countries issued a Leaders' Declaration and a Joint Action Plan. The action plan proposed seven areas of cooperation: political leadership and regionalism, people-centered development, peace and security, resources and economic development, climate change and disasters, ocean and environment, technology, and connectivity.  The leaders also committed to the PALM partnership towards 2050. On climate change, the countries' leaders unanimously shared their concerns regarding the crisis. Kishida iterated that Japan would continue to promote cooperation with the Pacific Island countries on health and education exchanges. Japan also called to establish a: “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” with countries who share common values and principles. 

What is the background?
First, a brief background to the PALM. The beginning of the Pacific Island Leader Meeting goes back to the Japan-South Pacific Forum (SPF) held in Tokyo in 1997. The second summit was held in 2000, where Japan established: “The Pacific Common Frontier Institute.” Pacific Asia relations were based on three pillars of sustainable development, dealing with regional and global issues and establishing partnerships between Japan and the Pacific Island countries. Since then, Japan has been hosting this summit every three years. 

Second, Japan's interest in the Pacific. Tokyo is a major provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) aimed at developing tools to strengthen maritime surveillance among the Pacific countries. Japan’s primary relations with the Pacific Island countries have been built on fisheries relations. Japan's security cooperation with the Pacific Island countries focused on development aid and furthering maritime surveillance. During this summit, Tokyo announced its plans to supply one fisheries research vessel free of cost to each Pacific Island country. This initiative is to dispel concerns regarding Fukushima-treated water release. 

Third, the China factor in the Pacific. In recent years, China has extended its sphere of influence to the Pacific, especially through infrastructure projects. They have heavily invested in building sports stadiums, advanced healthcare facilities, roads, and bridges. The growing pivot towards China can be seen when, in 2019, Solomon Island severed its ties with Taiwan and reinstated its ties with Beijing. In July, China announced an additional USD 20 million investment for the Solomon airport project. China also donated USD 31 million to Vanuatu’s presidential palace. Nauru also switched its ties with Taiwan and signed a diplomatic pact with China in 2024. 

What does it mean? 
First, Japan’s influence in the Pacific. The summit aims to bolster Japan’s relations with the Pacific Island countries. Japan’s presence also represents its other Western allies like the US who are increasingly worried about the Chinese presence. 

Second, deterring Chinese influence in the Pacific. The declaration hinted at the Chinese presence in the region and how the PALM countries are against any unilateral moves to change the status quo. New Zealand's "Maritime Security Strategy 2024," pointed out that it is against “Certain countries are increasingly exercising hard power to test the limits of the rules-based international system, at the expense of rules that serve smaller countries like New Zealand.” The above statements expressed concerns over increased Chinese influence in the Pacific. Therefore, countering China in the Pacific is in Japan’s and its ally's interest. 

Third, the Pacific Island countries and big powers. The meeting also shows how the Pacific Island countries are leveraging external stakeholders in the region by engaging with all. The smaller Pacific Island countries have been welcoming to Chinese investment in the region. Their presence and the issuance of the joint declaration in PALM 10 showcase that they are balancing external actors and would leverage the players for its benefit.