Tonga marked the first anniversary of the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami with a reception that was attended by the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel on March 8.

A minute silence was observed in remembrance of the 20,000 lives that were lost on that tragic day, 11 March 2011.

The Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr Yasuo Takase said the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011 was the most catastrophic tragedy Japan has experienced since World War II.

He said it has been a year of extraordinary challenges for Japan as the region and people who live in the area have been trying to overcome physical and mental hardships following the tragedy in which 20,000 people were killed and more than 70,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.

Videos of the disaster and accounts of survivors were screened during the reception.

HE Mr Yasuo Takase said that Japan now is on the road towards full recovery and the infrastructure and economy of the coastal areas of Tohoku which were washed away by the tsunami are recovering.

"Japan has made substantial progress in addressing the situation at the damaged Nuclear Power Stations to be shutdown by the end of this year and the daily lives of those outside the affected areas have almost returned to normal," he said.

He thanked Tonga for donating more than $200,000 to assist Japan's recovery.

Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano said that the devastation that struck the eastern coast of Japan on March 11 2011 remains a vivid memory of many but despite the devastation that the earthquake and the tsunami brought against the people of Japan, the Japanese government continues to assist Tonga and further strengthen the diplomatic and socio-economic ties between the two countries.

On the of the anniversary, March 8 the Prime Minister and the Japanese Ambassador signed a USD$3.1 million (TOP$5 million) Non Project Grant Aid.

The $5 million Japan Grant for Provision of industrial products to Tonga that would include heavy machinery like excavators which were manufactured at the Tohoku region which was affected by the tsunami.

The reception was organized by the Embassy of Japan and was attended by over 200 guests including Prince Tungi, Hon 'Etani Tuku'aho, Cabinet Ministers, the Japanese community in Tonga and guests.