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 Japan |  Tonga |
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Japan andTonga have maintained official diplomatic relations since July 1970.[1] Japan is Tonga's leading donor in the field of technical aid.[1] The Japanese government describes its relations with Tonga as "excellent", and states that "theImperial family of Japan and theRoyal family of Tonga have developed a cordial and personal relationship over the years".[1] Japan is one of only four countries to have an embassy inNukuʻalofa, whilst Tonga has an embassy inTokyo.
In early 2009, Japan became the fourth country to establish an embassy in Tonga (followingAustralia,New Zealand and thePeople's Republic of China). In March, Ambassador Yasuo Takase became the first resident ambassador of Japan in Tonga.[2] He was also the first resident Japanese ambassador in anyPolynesian country.[3]
The opening of the embassy came in a context of increased Japanese development aid in thePacific.[4][5]
In May 2009, Tongan Prime MinisterFeleti Sevele was welcomed to Japan by EmperorAkihito for a regional discussion on aid.[6]
KingTāufaʻāhau Tupou IV visited Japan on seven occasions between 1982 and 1995.[1] He attended thestate funeral of Emperor Hirohito in 1989.[7]
In 2013, Tonga's exports to Japan (consisting primarily inpumpkins andtuna) were worthJPY 146 million, while its imports (mainlymachinery) were worth JPY 460 million. Japan is Tonga's largest export market.[1]
Japan has sent only bureaucratic diplomats asambassadors to Tonga. On the other hand, however, one of the Tongan ambassadors included a member ofthe royal family, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa Lavaka (nowTupou VI).[8]
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