(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles can in the near future look forward to more bilateral assistance from Japan in fisheries, renewable energy and coastal management. This is according to the new Japanese Ambassador to Seychelles, Tatushi Terada, who presented his credentials to President James Michel at State House this morning.

“My specialty is the environment, so I look forward to cooperate in this area, as well as continuing the support of Japan in fisheries,” Ambassador Terada told the local press following the accreditation ceremony.

Ambassador Terada also announced the decision of Japan to assist with the installation of a micro-grid system to assess the feasibility of combining solar photovoltaic energy and diesel generation in Seychelles.

The project, which will be funded by Japan’s Official Development Assistance Programme, will be implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which already has a long-standing history of successful environmental projects with Seychelles.

The Japanese ambassador added that Japan would also be assisting with the extension of a fishing port, which was originally completed under a project financed by the Japanese government in June 2010.

Increasing visitor arrivals from Japan was another priority for the Nairobi-based ambassador, who said he would be working on ways to bring more Japanese tourism to the Seychelles islands.

President Michel met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in June last year, where the project for the extension of the Providence fishing port, financed in part by the 7th Fisheries Grant from Japan was among the topics of discussion.