Micronesian Canoe in Hyogo

On July 31, 2025, President Simina and his delegation from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) visited Sonoda Gakuen University in Hyogo Prefecture along with Ambassador Kagomiya to view the Micronesian canoe Pesau (or Pethau) that has been stored at this university. This canoe was built in Yap State and sailed 3000km (1864mi/1620nm) from Maap island of Yap State to the Ogasawara islands of Japan in the summer of 1986 using traditional navigation methods, utilizing the stars and wind. Navigator Bernard Gaayan, a traditional chief, Chief John Tamagyaron (or Tamagyoron), and 9 youths of Maap island achieved this voyage. Sonoda Gakuen University and the Kansai Oceania Association, in which the university is a member of, supported this heroic achievement from the standpoint of cultural exchange, and accepted the gifting of this canoe as a show of friendly support, which is now preserved at the university.
 
President Simina and his delegation visited Kagawa Prefecture following this and has returned to the FSM.