Japan-Tonga Relations

December 2009

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:

Established in July 1970

Japanese Nationals:

Number of Japanese residing in Tonga: 50 (Oct 1998)

Trade with Japan (1999):

Exports: 1,224 million yen (pumpkin, tuna)

Imports: 204 million yen (machinery)

Direct Investment from Japan:

none

Japan's Economic Cooperation:

List of Exchange of Notes

Loans: none

Grants: US$1.9 million (1998)
Cumulative total as of December 31, 1998: US$67.98 million)

Technical cooperation: US$3.13 million (1998)
Cumulative total as of December 31, 1998: US$43.64 million

Japan has been the top bilateral donor to Tonga since 1993.

VIP Visits

From Japan to Tonga

Year	Name
1990	Takashi Hasegawa (House of Representatives)
	Bunbei Hara (House of Councilors),
	Megumu Sato (House of Representatives)
	(Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Union (APPU) member's visit)

From Tonga to Japan

Year	Name
1982,1985,1986,1989,1992,1994,1995	His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
1994,1997,1998	Prime Minister Baron Vaea of Houma
1983,1984,1985,1988,1990,1992,1994,1995	His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto'a (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence)

Cultural Grant (cumulative total fiscal 1975-2004)

133.2 million yen (Cultural Grant Aid)

Overview

Over the years, Japan and Tonga have nurtured an excellent bi-lateral relationship. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1970, and have since exchanged frequent high-level political visits. The Imperial family of Japan and the Royal family of Tonga have developed a cordial and personal relationship over the years as well. The current king of Tonga, His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, has already paid 7 visits to Japan.

Japan is the top donor to Tonga and the largest export market for Tongan products. Most notably, Tongan squash has become an important export item to the Japanese market (96% share of total export from Tonga to Japan is squash).

One of the most prominent aspects of the friendly relationship between the peoples of the two nations is sports, especially in Rugby and Sumo wrestling (Japanese style wrestling). In fact, several popular Tongan Rugby players play for top Japanese university or company teams, a couple of whom being members of the Japanese national rugby team! A Rikishi (traditional Japanese wrestler) of Tongan descent, Musashimaru, reached the top rank of Yokozuna (grand champion) in the traditional world of Sumo. The wrestler is widely known all over Japan.

• Visit to Japan by Hon. Dr. Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga (March 2008)
• Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Toshio Kojima's Attendance at the PIF Post-Forum Dialogue and Visit to Tonga and Fiji (Outline and Evaluation) (August 2001)

Press Secretary's Press Conference on Tonga

• Embassy of Japan in Tonga