The small town of Kuroshio in Japan, has donated 50 school bags to Mu’a Government Primary School (GPS).

An education official from Kuroshio, Mr Kazuya Azechi, presented the bags on the town’s behalf in a ceremony on 25 August, attended by the Japanese Ambassador H.E MR. Yukio Numata and the Minister of Education Hon. Penisimani Fifita.

The seaside town of Kuroshio holds a population of over 11,000 people and last year held a “High School Students Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day” where over 300 students from 30 countries attended, including six students from Tonga.

Having formed a connection with Tonga through those students, the Mayor of Kuroshio, Mr Katsuya Onishi, visited the Kingdom in May of this year where he also presented bags to Mu’a GPS.

Hon. Penisimani Fifita acknowledged the generosity of the people of Kuroshio. He stated, “I am very thankful to the people of Kuroshio Town for enlightening the students of GPS Mu’a with this beautiful school bags.”

Mr Azechi said that “Randoseru” (school bags) was a customary gift in Japan for students who are about to begin primary school, and that it symbolized parental love. He hoped that through Randoseru, Tongan students would feel the love from the people of Kuroshio.