Tonga's Institute of Education that trains teachers in both primary and high school level received a donation of Japanese language books for teachers, from the Ambassador of Japan in Tonga HE Mr Yasuo Takase on November 27.

The Ambassador told the students he was pleased to see that many of them are studying the Japanese language and he said the similarities between the two languages - Japanese and Tongan had made it easier for students to learn.

The Japanese Government has over the years provided Japanese volunteers as teachers and donated learning materials.

He added that education is one of the priority areas of Japan's assistance to Tonga and since 1973 the Japanese International Cooperation Agency JICA has provided over 300 professional volunteers to Tonga. This included volunteers who have been teaching Japanese language in various schools in Tongatapu and in the outer islands.

TIOE's Japanese teacher Ms Noriko Tsubota said this year she taught about 60 students who chose Japanese as an elective subject. Nearing the completion her two years term, Noriko also commented on the popularity of the subject amongst students.

In the meantime other schools also received language teaching learning materials including Vava'u High School, Taufa'ahau and Pilolevu College in Ha'apai and the Curriculum Unit at the Ministry of Education.

The Japanese language has been elective subject at Tonga Institute of Education during the past eight years.