By Katalina Siasau

Visiting Tonga today, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Tsuge Yoshifumi, leading a special envoy of Japan's Prime Minister, met Hon. Hu'akavameiliku at the Prime Minister's Office in Nuku'alofa, this morning, 4 May.

During his one-day visit, the high-level meeting discussed areas of mutual interest in strengthening Japan-Tonga friendly relations and exchanged views on issues of common concern for both countries.

Tonga's Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku acknowledged Japan for being a key and treasured partner of Tonga, and for ongoing development cooperation with the Tongan government through bilateral assistance programs.

They discussed PALM10, which is scheduled for next July in Japan, and the upcoming 53 Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting that Tonga will host in August.

The Special Envoy of Prime Minister Kishida presented an invitation to Hon. Hu’akavameiliku to attend the PALM10 meeting in Japan

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku extended an invitation to Hon. Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, to attend the Pacific Leaders annual meeting in the Pacific Region.

The special envoy includes Japan’s Director of Oceania Division, Mr. Jimbon Satoshi, and others.

The Ambassador of Japan to Tonga HE Mr. Inagaki Hisao was also present.

Mr. Tsuge Yoshifumi and delegation were scheduled to leave Tonga later today.