Viewing the site where the Embassy of Japan in Tonga will be set up in January next year, and meeting senior government officials today was Hiroyuki Orikasa, the Counsellor and Special Assistant for Southeast Asian Issues of the Embassy of Japan in Fiji.

Hiroyuki confirmed today, the Government of Japan is committed to setting up an embassy in Nuku'alofa and the Government of Tonga has in return committed the fifth and top floor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga building.

After renovating the space and enlarging it by enclosing its balcony, the embassy should be ready for occupation by January.

"It is most likely that a full Japanese Ambassador will be appointed to head the Tonga Embassy when set up but that has not been confirmed at this stage," he said.

On May 22 he met with the Secretary for Foreign Affairs Va'inga Tone and his Deputy Tevita Kolo as well as the Chief Secretary to Cabinet 'Eseta Fusitu'a and other Government officials.

Fiji

Currently, the Embassy of Japan in Suva, Fiji, also represents Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Hiroyuki said that over the years Japan and Tonga have developed a history of friendship and good diplomatic relations and the Imperial family of Japan have warm relationship with the Tongan Royal Family.

Projects

Meanwhile, the Japanese Ambassador in Fiji, HE Masashi Namekawa will be visiting Tonga on June 3-5 to sign agreements regarding Japan's Grassroots Project and other issues.

The Counsellor accompanied by Salesh Chand the Embassy's Political Research Officer will return to Fiji on Saturday.