His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ’Ulukalala, who also serves as Tonga’s Minister of Defence and Foreign Minister, met with Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon Iwaya Takeshi.
The meeting marked a significant step in advancing defence cooperation between the two nations.
The first time meeting since Iwaya’s appointment reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, emphasising the enduring ties between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Tongan Royal Family as a cornerstone of their friendship.
During the meeting, Iwaya highlighted Japan’s contributions to regional resilience, including its support for the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) under the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
He reiterated Japan’s dedication to addressing shared challenges, particularly climate change, which Pacific nations regard as the “greatest existential threat.”
“Japan is committed to strengthening regional connectivity and resilience, including through follow-up on the outcomes of the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10) held in July 2024,” Iwaya stated.
The discussions underscored both nations’ shared vision for a stable and prosperous Pacific region, with enhanced cooperation in defence, climate action, and diplomatic relations.
