Ryotaro Suzuki will officially take on the role of Japan's new Ambassador to Samoa after presenting his credentials to the Head of State Afioga Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II in the new year.

Suzuki arrived on Monday after his previous posting in Iceland. According to an earlier phone call to the Japanese Embassy this week, he will officially present his credentials in the new year. 

Suzuki is eager to embrace his new responsibilities in Samoa, as stated in his post on the Embassy of Japan's Facebook page. In a statement released through the Embassy of Japan, Ambassador Suzuki highlighted the fascinating contrasts and similarities between Iceland and Samoa. 

He described his time in Iceland, a country known for its breathtaking landscapes of volcanic rock and glaciers known as the "land of fire and ice." 

"While Iceland and Samoa are island nations, they offer vastly different climates and environments. Iceland is characterised by its frigid temperatures, where summer rarely exceeds 20 degrees Celsius, requiring heavy winter attire even in the warmer months. In stark contrast, Samoa enjoys year-round temperatures hovering around 30 degrees," said Suzuki. 

He also noted the shared challenges, including small populations and vulnerabilities to the impacts of global climate change. 

"We are both blessed by the surrounding sea, yet we must navigate the threats posed by changing climate conditions," he remarked. One of his first tasks in Samoa will be to have a formal shirt made.