A Japanese academic has called on Pacific Islanders to maintain the protection of their environment.

Professor Hajime Kayane, from the University of Tokyo has been dispatched by JICA and Japan Science and Technology Agency to working together with his Tuvaluan counterparts and with the collaboration of USP and SOPAC.

Professor Kayane recently held a workshop in USP on raising awareness on the impacts and counter measures of climate changes in Tuvalu and other atolls in the Pacific.

Professor Kayane said that even though Fiji is not as vulnerable to sea level rise as Tuvalu, the Eco system conservation rehabilitation is important in protecting the island.