Japan to establish an Embassy in Nuku'alofa [1]
Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 18:48. Updated on Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 09:40.
The Government of Japan will set up an Embassy in Nuku'alofa in January 2009, the Deputy Secretary for Tonga's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Tevita Kolo, confirmed this afternoon.
There was speculation late last year that Japan was interested in setting up an embassy in Nuku'alofa, but Tevita said a team from Japan came to Nuku'alofa two months ago and expressed to the Government their wish to set up an embassy, "then another team was here to look at possible residences for their employees."
The Japanese Embassy will be the second embassy in the Nuku'alofa, in addition to the Chinese Embassy.
Tevita said Japan is still looking for a venue for their embassy, "they were particularly interested at acquiring one whole floor at the Reserve Bank of Tonga building, but that will be confirmed later."
Japan has a long relationship with Tonga, and over the years has implemented many development projects throughout the country, including roads, high schools, primary schools, foreshores, villages water systems and fisheries projects.
In the South Pacific region Japan has embassies in Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.