Press Releases
Sending the messages of condolence for the passing of Hon. Samiuela ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga
by Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Motegi
1. On September 13th, 2019, Prime Minister Abe extended his message of condolences to Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika, Acting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga on the passing of Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga on September 12th. The message is as follows:
Dear Hon. Semisi Sika,
I am deeply saddened by the sudden news that Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, has passed away. On behalf of the people and Government of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Prime Minister as well as the people and Government of the Kingdom of Tonga.
I fondly remember that Prime Minister Pohiva attended the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting and that we had a meaningful bilateral meeting.
While honoring the memory of Prime Minister Pohiva, who greatly contributed to the development of friendly cooperative relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Tonga, I sincerely pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Prime Minister Pohiva.
Sincerely yours,
Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister of Japan
2. On the same day Minister of Foreign Affairs Motegi alsoconvey his message of condolences. It is as follows:
Dear Hon. Semisi Sika,
I am deeply saddened by the news that Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga, has passed away. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Prime Minister as well as to the people and Government of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Prime Minister Pohiva was the first commoner, who was elected through Parliament election to be Prime Minister in the history of Tonga, and greatly contributed to the democratization of the Kingdom of Tonga. In May 2015, Prime Minister Pohiva visited Japan to attend the 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting. He made great contributions not only to the further development of our bilateral relations, but also to the promotion of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’, to which Japan attaches great importance.
I sincerely pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Prime Minister Pohiva. I hope the people and Government of Tonga will overcome the sorrow and continue to work toward the further development of Tonga. Japan is ready to support such endeavors.
Sincerely yours,
MOTEGI Toshimitsu
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan