James Matayoshi
Mayor of Rongelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands
The Hon. James Matayoshi is a dedicated public servant and civic leader with more than three decades of executive experience as the Mayor of Rongelap Atoll (1995–2026). Throughout his tenure, Mayor Matayoshi has remained committed to community resilience, driving key initiatives in local infrastructure revitalization, healthcare expansion, educational enhancement, and sustainable environmental and economic practices.
Beyond his executive leadership in Rongelap, Mayor Matayoshi has held numerous
prominent regional and national governance positions across the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the broader Pacific. His leadership roles include serving as President of the RMI Mayors Association, Chairman of the RMI Ports Authority (2008–2010), and President of the Pacific Island Local Governments Associations Network (PILGAN) in 2013. A key contributor to national statecraft, he participated in the landmark 1994 RMI Constitutional Convention and has continually supported civic welfare through his work with the Rongelap Resettlement Project and the Headstart Parent Policy Council. He holds an academic background in business administration from Hawaii Business College.