Tonga's first Resident Japanese Ambassador, HE Mr Yasuo Takase presented his Letters of Credence to HM King George Tupou V at the Consular House on Monday, March 18.

The Ambassador who arrived in Tonga on March 14 heads the first Japanese Embassy in Nuku'alofa, with nine staff members including four Japanese and five Tongans.

The Embassy has a temporary office at the Lagoon Lodge, 'Umusi, since it was opened on January 1, but will move to a permanent office at the top floor of the National Reserve Bank Building in May.

Fisheries

Before Ambassador Yasuo Takase was appointed to Tonga he was the Director of the Fishery Division and Deputy Director General of the Economic Affairs, a position he held since August 2008.

Ambassador Yasuo Takase is a graduate of Tokyo University and he has a wealth of experience in diplomatic and international affairs after holding positions as First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Zambia in 1993.

He was also the Director of Fishery Division and Ocean Division of the Japan Economic Affairs Bureau from 1996-99.

In 2000-02 he was the Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan in Norway and Nigeria and was the Director General of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Department, Interchange Association in Tokyo in 2004.

The Ambassador was also a Senior Regional Coordinator; Second Middle East Division, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau in August 2007.

The Japanese Tongan Embassy is its first in Polynesia. In the past the Japanese Embassy in Suva, served Tonga and several other Pacific Islands countries.

The Embassy of Japan staff, from left: front - 'Ana Kolokihakaufisi; Counsellor, Akira Ouchi; the Ambassador HE Yasuo Takase; Sepuita Fusimalohi; Frances Tu'ipulotu;, Hola Siale.

Back row - Ms Hiroko Oka, Satashi Ito, Pauli Tupou and Kosuke Nakatawa.