Japan's current grant aid to Tonga, includes a $66 million upgrade to the Faua Wharf, medical equipment for health services, and around $3.6 million for a program that will help build up sports, the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga told guests at a reception last night to celebrate the 83^rd birthday of the Emperor of Japan Akihito.

The reception was hosted by the Japanese Ambassador, HE Mr Yukio Numata at his residence in ‘Anana.

Ambassador Numata said the Emperor's birthday falls on December 23, and the celebration attended by Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala remembers the closeness between Tonga and Japan, forged as island countries, with close cooperation and longevity of warm friendship.

He said in the bilateral arena, in February this year, Japan handed over medical equipment to the Ministry of Health. This was followed in  March by the signing of an Exchange of Notes for Japan's Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Program Grant worth around $3.6 million pa'anga. This is aimed for ongoing procurement emphasizing equipment for building up Tonga’s sports capabilities bearing in mind the 2019 Pacific Games, he said.

In April, King Tupou VI also launched an upgrade for the domestic wharf in a groundbreaking ceremony at Faua Wharf, a project worth over $66 million pa’anga under Japan’s Grant Aid. The Ambassador said that by November this year, 35 percent of the overall work was completed.

"The transformation of Tonga’s domestic wharf is in answer to Tonga’s needs for more progressive infrastructures to promote safety in sea transport," he said, in calling the project "a symbolic icon of the two countries cordial friendship."

Royal and Imperial households

Lord Ma’afu, the Minister in Charge and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, extended his heartfelt wishes to HM Emperor Akihito on his 83^rd birthday on behalf of King Tupou VI, the Government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga.

He noted that the relations between the Government of Japan and Government of Tonga had flourished over 40-years, with the personal ties between the Tongan Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Household forging warm and cordial relations.

He also acknowledged the Japanese Government's ongoing bilateral assistance, commendable for its size and outreach and the overarching objective to support Tonga’s National Development priorities.