Pacific Islands: News & Insights - Nikkei Asia

    Pacific Islands

    13 October 2026
    President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Palau says his country is awash in illicit drugs brought in by Chinese nationals, contributing to overcrowding in the Pacific island country's sole jail. (Source photos by Sophie Mak)
    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
    Your Week in Asia

    Takaichi policy speech, Malaysia budget, Pacific islands climate summit

    Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

    4 October 2026
    U.S. soldiers carry out construction work on a former Japanese military airfield on Peleliu Island, in February 2025. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
    International relations

    Palauans fear getting caught in potential conflict between the US and China

    An American military presence that is meant to protect also spurs anxiety

    30 September 2026
    From left, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Baron Waqa, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon at the press conference Sept. 3. (Photo by Sophie Mak)
    International relations

    Pacific islands leaders express concern over China's missile launch

    17 of 18 members call for notice of tests, as Palau hosts annual forum

    4 September 2026
    Pedestrians hold parasols to cope with a heat wave in Tokyo on July 15: Forecasters are predicting the El Nino weather phenomenon will intensify, pushing up temperatures in much of Asia.
    Environment

    Very strong El Nino to run through February as Asia impacts build

    WMO forecasts temperatures far above normal for much of the region

    3 September 2026
    Leaders pose for a group photo during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau on Sept. 2.
    Climate Change

    Temperature rise of more than 1.5 Celsius threatens Pacific, leaders say

    Islands seek greater global action as UN report forecasts more extreme weather

    2 September 2026
    Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung speaks to reporters on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau, on Sept. 1. (Photo by Sophie Mak)
    International relations

    Taiwan foreign minister decries Chinese 'bullying' at Pacific forum

    China's envoy to Pacific warned of 'consequences' if Taiwan is included in regional gathering

    1 September 2026
    Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks to reporters in Koror, Palau on Aug. 30. (Photo by Sophie Mak)
    International relations

    China, leader absences hang over key Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Palau

    Several representatives stay home as forum grapples with Chinese missile test

    31 August 2026
    China's July 6 test of a missile, left, that traveled more than 7,000 kilometers across the Pacific before landing south of Kiribati will provide a fresh focus for members of the Pacific Island Forum, headquartered in Fiji, right. (Source photos by Xinhua/AP and Reuters)
    Policy Asia

    Australia's Pacific rivalry with China heats up after Beijing's ICBM test

    Nuclear-capable missile launch from submarine sends signal before island leaders gather in Palau

    28 August 2026
    On July 6, China's military conducted a test launch of a missile carrying a training warhead from a submarine in the South Pacific. (Xinhua via Kyodo)
    International relations

    China missile test shakes Pacific islands' anti-nuclear unity

    Australia-led statement stalls as some neighbors shy away from condemnation

    4 August 2026
    A Chinese naval submarine near Hainan Island launches a missile carrying a dummy warhead toward the South Pacific on July 6. (Screenshot from PLA's WeChat page)
    Defense

    China missile test over Pacific alarms island nations

    Leaders decry breach of nuclear-free zone norms as they weigh security partnerships

    7 July 2026
    Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, and Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka pose after signing agreements at State House in Suva on July 6.
    International relations

    Australia and Fiji sign defense pact to counter China influence

    Agreement comes on the day Beijing conducts missile test in Pacific

    6 July 2026
    Prime Minister Jotham Napat of Vanuatu, left, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pose after signing the Nakamal Agreement at Parliament House in Canberra on June 29. 
    International relations

    Vanuatu, Australia ink deal to bar foreign military bases in Pacific nation

    Canberra uses immigration stick as 'leverage' to finalize deal, critic says

    30 June 2026
    Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks to Nikkei Asia in an interview. He said that Taiwan is “a trusted ally” and his country will maintain diplomatic relations with it despite pressure from China. (Photo by Shogo Kodama)
    Defense

    Palau president says security strengthened with US radar amid China threat

    Deployment of system to detect aircraft and missiles expected next year

    9 June 2026
    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale shake hands in Canberra on June 3.
    International relations

    Australia and Solomon Islands agree to boost ties with strategic treaty

    Agreement by leaders comes as Canberra and Beijing vie for influence in Pacific

    3 June 2026
    Matthew Wale, the new prime minister of the Solomon Islands, faces challenges including a rising cost of living and managing relations with China and other countries. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Koji Uema and Kyodo)
    Politics

    Solomon Island lawmakers pick China-cautious Matthew Wale as new PM

    Vote comes after previous leader ousted; security deal with Beijing in focus

    15 May 2026
    International remittances and tourism are critical parts of many Pacific island economies.
    Finance

    Japan to help Pacific island nations create payment processor

    Tokyo looks to check spread of yuan as small countries increasingly turn to China

    29 April 2026
    From left to right: Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa meet in Fiji on April 17. (Facebook page of the prime minister's office of the Solomon Islands) 
    Iran war

    Pacific islands brace for energy crisis as Iran war pushes up prices

    Nations activate emergency mechanism last used during COVID pandemic

    17 April 2026
    Stream article image
    Environment

    NIKKEI Film: From a sinking island: The choice of a Tuvaluan Family

    Hundreds opt to move to Australia, but at what cost?

    28 December 2025
    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, shakes hands with Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape at meeting in Sydney on Dec. 9.
    International relations

    Australia to fund $120 million in undersea cables for Papua New Guinea

    Equipment intended to bring reliable connectivity to more parts of the Pacific nation

    12 December 2025
    A woman performs a traditional dance during Tuvalu Independence Day celebrations in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct 4. (Photo by Sophie Mak)
    International relations

    Tuvaluans in Australia get ready for arrival of more compatriots

    Numbers set to increase under landmark agreement spurred by rising seawaters

    23 November 2025
    The American flag flies outside the U.S. Embassy in Airai, Palau.
    Opinion

    The Pacific will endure US aid cuts but China wins narrative advantage

    Damage is not financial but reputational as Washington's retreat erodes trust in the region

    19 November 2025
    (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
    Big in Asia

    Tuvaluans seek Australian escape as worries for homeland mount

    Nation faces transformation as first recipients of climate migration visas depart

    8 November 2025
    Maeverlyn Pitanoe, who was left with severed fingers and burn scars all over her body after a UXO accident in 2021, which killed two other people, speaks to Nikkei Asia on Sep 12 at her home in Fishing Village, a suburb of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
    Indo-Pacific

    Solomon Islands struggles with unexploded World War II ordnance

    Legacy of US-Japan fighting continues to maim, physically and psychologically

    1 November 2025
    Teams with members from island nations and regions learn about cyberdefense during last year's exercise. (Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
    3 October 2025
    Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape attend a flag lowering ceremony in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Sept. 16.
    2 October 2025
    Residents of Malaita, the Solomon Islands, ride a truck in the provincial capital of Auki. Many of Malaita Island's roads are difficult to traverse. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
    International relations

    China making inroads after pushback in key Solomon Islands province

    Trump's US pullout gives China room to expand its aid and infrastructure support

    28 September 2025
    Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele addresses media at the 54th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara on Sept. 12. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
    International relations

    Taiwan frictions surface again as Pacific summit concludes

    In break with standard practice, this year's gathering went ahead without external partners

    12 September 2025
    Pacific Islands Forum leaders attend a signing ceremony for a treaty to launch a climate action fund, in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Sept.10. (Photo by Shaun Turton)
    Climate Change

    Pacific leaders kickstart fund to finance climate action

    Move comes amid 'frustration' felt by smaller states

    10 September 2025
    Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat did not sign a landmark security and economic deal, but remain committed to doing so. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
    International relations

    Australia and Vanuatu still expect to ink security pact despite delay

    Pacific island nation's prime minister holds off on signing deal amid internal divisions

    9 September 2025