It was like a family reunion for 31 residents of Tonga's sister city in Japan, Owariasahi City, when they were in Nuku'alofa for three days from April 11-13.

The visitors included the Mayor of the city of Owariasahi, some city council members, business men, professional people and a 70-year-old rugby player, Manasao Taniguchi, a member of the Towaku Oldies Rugby Club.

Since the people of Owariasahi adopted Tonga as their sister city two years ago they have tried to learn about the Tongan culture. When the Tongan national day was celebrated on July 4 at the World Expo in Japan last year, the people of Owaraisahi participated in the celebration by performing a Lakalaka, and also hosted a big buffet dinner.

Following their arrival in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday, they were met by the Director of the Tonga Visitors' Bureau, Va'inga Palu, and traditionally there were exchanges of gifts. The visitors were also hosted to a dinner at the Tonga National Center in the evening and again more gifts were exchanged.