Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Ambassador Alik Presents Credentials to Emperor of Japan

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 5, 1998 Another
page in the history of the bilateral relations between the FSM
and Japan was turned on April 27th, by his Excellency Alik L.
Alik, presented his credentials to the Emperor of Japan as the
FSM Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, says
a release from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Taking place at the Akasaka Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the
presentation of credential ceremony was attended by several officials
of the Japanese Government and the Imperial Household Agency.
Witnessing the ceremony on behalf of the FSM were Minister James
A. Naich and First Secretary John Fritz.

Government-to-government relations between the FSM and Japan
were formalized in 1988. The two countries also have historic
ties dating back to the turn of the century. Economically speaking,
Japan is a major donor country to the FSM and an important partner
in the FSM’s development and economic reforms.

Prior to his appointment to Japan, Alik previously served
as FSM resident Ambassador to Fiji and other countries, mainly
in the South Pacific. He joined the FSM foreign service in 1984.
The second FSM Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador Alik succeeded
Ambassador Masao Nakayama, presently FSM representative to the
United Nations.

Ambassador Alik was born in 1953 in Kosrae, where he completed
his primary and secondary education. He began his college studies
at the United States International University at Maui, Hawaii,
and earned his undergraduate degree from Graceland College in
Iowa. Prior to joining the FSM foreign service, he participated
in a two-year paralegal training program at the University of
Hawaii Law School. After joining the FSM foreign service, he
also attended diplomatic training programs conducted by the Australian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State.