Japan’s navy ship 'Ohsumi' departs Tonga after delivering relief supplies [1]
Monday, February 21, 2022 - 19:05. Updated on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 22:44.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Ohsumi, left Tonga last Wednesday, February 16, after delivering relief supplies to Tongatapu and the outer islands.
The ship arrived in Tonga on February 9 with emergency assistance including drinking water and high pressure cleaners, following several emergency deliveries by Japan’s air self-defense force aircrafts.
The Ohsumi produced an additional 150 tons of drinking water from seawater, which was distributed on Tongatapu. The ship also distributed drinking water to ‘Eua, Ha’apai, and Vava’u, supported by two helicopters.
All activities were conducted in a contactless manner due to COVID-19 and Japanese personnel were dressed in PPE.
Japanese defense personnel sent warm messages on a Japanese flag and 1,000 paper cranes called Senba-Zuru, to Tonga. Senba-Zuru is a Japanese tradition to pray for peace, safety, and recovery.
The Japanese Embassy in Tonga said their government is pleased to be able to support the people and government of Tonga through the Ohsumi operation.