Suva, Fiji — 10 November 2026 — Ambassador Filimone Waqabaca, Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Development Bank, has been awarded Japan’s prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star under the 2026 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.
The Government of Japan announced the conferment on 3 November 2026 in recognition of Ambassador Waqabaca’s distinguished contribution to strengthening bilateral relations, friendship, and mutual understanding between Fiji and Japan.
Ambassador Waqabaca served as Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2024. His tenure was marked by active engagement with government, parliamentary, business, academic, and community stakeholders, contributing to deeper political cooperation, trade and investment promotion, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
Established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji, the Order of the Rising Sun was Japan’s first national decoration. It is conferred upon individuals who have rendered distinguished service in fields including international relations, the promotion of Japanese culture, public service, social welfare, and environmental preservation. The Gold and Silver Star is among the high distinctions awarded by the Government of Japan.
Ambassador Waqabaca has held senior leadership roles in Fiji and the Pacific region, including with the Reserve Bank of Fiji, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the International Monetary Fund, and the Government of Fiji. He has served as Permanent Secretary for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, and Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan.
He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Development Bank and Board Chair of Investment Fiji, where he continues to support Fiji’s economic diplomacy, investment promotion, and international business engagement.
In his capacity as Chair of Investment Fiji, Ambassador Waqabaca has helped advance trade and investment opportunities between Fiji and Japan. He recently led Fiji’s Trade and Investment Mission to Tokyo and Osaka, following the successful 2025 Fiji Business Mission held on the margins of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, where he served as Commissioner General for Fiji.
Reflecting on the honour, Ambassador Waqabaca said his engagement with Japan had been guided by humility, respect, patience, and a deep appreciation of the longstanding friendship between Fiji and Japan.
“My approach has always been to engage with Japan with respect, patience, and a genuine understanding of its political, economic, social, and cultural perspectives,” Ambassador Waqabaca said.
“Above all, I give thanks to God for His unwavering grace, guidance, and faithfulness throughout this journey. It is by His strength, wisdom, and favour that I have been able to carry out the work entrusted to me, and to serve with humility, purpose, and dedication.”
Ambassador Waqabaca expressed his sincere gratitude to Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, members of the Imperial Household, and the Government and people of Japan for the kindness, friendship, and support extended to him during his tenure. He also recalled, with deep appreciation, the guidance and encouragement he received during the presentation of his credentials in March 2023, noting that the occasion provided meaningful inspiration in the discharge of his duties as Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan.
He paid special tribute to his wife, Mrs. Caroline Waqabaca, and his children, Sylvia, Silipa, and Filimone Waqabaca Junior, for their sacrifices, encouragement, patience, and unwavering support throughout his diplomatic service in Japan.
Ambassador Waqabaca further acknowledged the Governments of Fiji and Japan, including their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs and resident Embassies, as well as Fiji’s countries of accreditation, for their continued cooperation, assistance, and friendship. He also expressed deep appreciation to the Japan–Fiji Parliamentary Friendship League, under the leadership of the Honourable Fukushiro Nukaga, for its wise counsel, guidance, and support.
“I am deeply grateful to the Governors, Mayors, Chambers of Commerce and Industry across the 40 prefectures I visited in Japan, the Fijian communities and diaspora in Japan, and the many partners from the private sector, NGOs, academia, and civil society who contributed to this important work,” he said.
Ambassador Waqabaca also acknowledged the valued support of former and current Fiji Ambassadors, Fiji Honorary Consuls, the Pacific Island Countries Ambassadorial Group, the Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society, Embassy Think Tank, The Nippon Foundation, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Kyowa Shipping, Fiji Time Japan, OISCA Japan, Taki Boys, the Fijian Rugby Players Association in Japan, Tokyo Baptist Church, and other partners and stakeholders whose friendship and cooperation supported the work of the Embassy.
He paid particular tribute to the dedicated team at the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo, who served alongside him from 2022 to 2024 with professionalism, commitment, and a shared sense of purpose. “I sincerely acknowledge the Embassy team, including Ashneel, Karalaini, Haruko, Satoko, Tamae, and Roberto, for their dedication, loyalty, and service,” he said.
Ambassador Waqabaca also extended special appreciation to former First Secretary and Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Ms. Kelera Savu, now with The Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo. “Ms. Savu’s guidance, support, broad expertise, and deep knowledge of Japan, including its culture, values, ethics, and language were instrumental in strengthening the work of the Fiji Embassy in Tokyo and in helping to open new doors of engagement,” Ambassador Waqabaca said. Together, we advanced the Lomavata Kizuna Partnership, a strategic initiative that continues to strengthen the Fiji–Japan bilateral relationship.”
During his tenure in Japan, Ambassador Waqabaca worked to build trusted partnerships across government, business, academia, and civil society. His efforts supported Fiji’s national interests while also helping to identify opportunities of wider benefit to the Pacific region.
Widely respected for his humility, integrity, and approachable leadership, Ambassador Waqabaca is known for bringing people together and fostering relationships based on trust, respect, and shared purpose.
Reflecting on the recognition, Ambassador Waqabaca recalled the wisdom of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, whose leadership emphasised trust, understanding, tolerance, and the importance of building relationships with goodwill.
Ambassador Waqabaca’s recognition by the Government of Japan stands as a testament to his enduring commitment to strengthening Fiji–Japan relations and advancing sustainable economic growth, inclusive development, and meaningful international partnerships for Fiji.
