Six Tongan companies participated in the Pacific Islands Exhibition 2006 in Tokyo, Japan, on May 25.

The Exhibition, the third of its kind, gave manufacturers from the 14 Pacific Island Forum countries the opportunity to display their products to Japanese prospective buyers.

Siaosi Fifita, from Tonga Trade, in charge of the Tongan stand, said that the three most popular Tongan products displayed were the alcoholic beverages from the Southern Cross Ltd of Sopu, Nuku`alofa; seaweed products; and the Tongan Handicrafts of Sitiveni Fehoko.

The seaweed products were displayed by Tangle Wood Co. Ltd., a Japanese company that imports Tongan seaweed, from which it manufactures a variety of products. Tangle Wood has a Tongan employee, `Esiteli Pasikala, from Longomapu, Vava`u. `Esiteli who has been with the company during the past three years, said that their products ranged from food flavourings to health foods and cosmetics. Hisanori Tani, the managing director of the company said that they were buying exclusively from Masa's company.

The Japanese Vice-minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and a Member of the House of Representatives, Ms Satsuki Katayama, suggested to her Pacific Island counterparts the idea for a "one village one product".

During the exhibition there were various seminars, including a seminar on Lapita Pottery.