1 December 2011
Malo e lelei!
It is my
great honour and pleasure to be here to be part of this joyous occasion in celebrating the
25th Anniversary of ‘Eua High School. I would also like to thank you all for the warm
welcome extended to me this morning. Malo ‘aupito!
This
is my third official visit to ‘Eua following my last visit July this year and
today I am grateful for having the opportunity to visit this beautiful island
again.
Japan-Tonga
Relations
I would
like to start my speech by talking briefly about Tonga-Japan relations. Last
year was the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between our two countries. During the last 40 years, our two
countries have developed cordial and friendly relations.
Such long and
warm relations between our two countries are symbolised by the respectful relationship
between the Royal family of Tonga and the Imperial family of Japan. His Majesty
King George Tupou V has visited Japan many times and met His Majesty the
Emperor and other members of the Imperial Family of Japan. The most recent visit
of His Majesty the King to Japan was January this year. Their Majesties Emperor
Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan have warmly received His Majesty the King
of Tonga in Tokyo. This is the first time His Majesty the King has visited
Japan since his Coronation held in August 2008. His Imperial Highness Crown
Prince Naruhito of Japan attended the Coronation.
Japan has provided a total of approximately 23.8 billion Japanese Yen of
the official development assistance (ODA), or equivalent to 540 Million Pa'anga
up to the year 2009. In March next year, the Japanese assistance for upgrading
and refurbishing Vaiola Hospital will be completed, and I am
sure that the new Hospital will indeed contribute to improving the health
sector here in Tonga. In addition to those large scale projects, Japan has
smaller scale funds available to reach out to grass roots level, which is
called Grant
Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, more commonly known as the
GGP. Every year, Japan funds around 10 community projects under the GGP. In my
earlier visit to ‘Eua this year, I attended a commissioning ceremony of the
Project for Children's Ward and Clinic Building of Niu'eiki Hospital. Honorable
Sunia Fili, Minister for Finance and National Planning, and Honorable Uliti
Uta, Minister for Health, also attended the ceremony.
Japan
has also dispatched more than four hundred (400) volunteers to Tonga and
received more than seven hundred (700) Tongan trainees to Japan since early
1970s. Those volunteers and trainees have not only contributed to the
development of Tonga but also served as bridges between Japan and Tonga
relations.
With such a
long history of cordial and friendly ties, the Government of Japan established the
Japanese Embassy here in Tonga in January 2009. I arrived in Tonga March 2009
as the first resident Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga, which is a
great honour and pleasure for me. The establishment of the Embassy enabled us
to work more closely with the Government and people of Tonga.
Education
Education is
one of the key areas for relationship between Japan and Tonga. As many of you
may know, in October the Tonga Soroban Competition took place here in ‘Eua.
Approximately two hundred and thirty (230) primary school students competed for
Soroban calculation. Some of these students will participate in the final
competition to be held at Nuku'alofa in March next year.
In May of
this year, we also organised the second Japanese language contest. I was
impressed to see the outcome of all the participants' hard work and steady
efforts, and I was very pleased to have two participants from ‘Eua High School.
The Government of Japan has a scholarship
program which supports Tongan students to go to Japan for studying at a university
in Japan. Under this scholarship, twenty two (22) students have been to Japan
since 1995. Besides the government scholarship students, there are, I
understand, many Tongan students who have studied, or are now studying, in
universities or high schools in Japan, with private or school scholarship, and some
of them are playing Rugby as well.
In this July, I received a courtesy call from the two first-ever successful
participants to the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET Programme). These
two participants are currently teaching English at Japanese high schools in
Fukushima and Okinawa.
There was a symbolic occasion of engagement between Japan and Tonga in the
education sector November last year. I was honoured
to convey a Japanese decoration,
on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of
Japan, to Mr. Paula Bloomfield, former Minister for Education. He was presented
the decoration in recognition of his contribution towards the promotion of the Japanese
language education in Tonga. Mr. Paula Bloomfield was the second recipient to
receive a Japanese decoration after Mrs. Una Tupou for her contribution towards
the promotion of Soroban education here in Tonga.
Japan's Assistance
to Education Sector of Tonga
Japanese
assistance towards education sector of the Kingdom of Tonga is one of our priority areas
because education
improves student's skills and knowledge which are key to the development efforts at
national and
local levels. Education also widens the horizons for students
and enables them to achieve their goals in life.
Japan's major grant assistance projects to Tonga's
education sector includes the construction of two
(2)
Government Primary Schools in Tongatapu in 1980; the
construction of Vava'u High School in 1983; the improvement of ‘Eua High School
in 1991 & 1992; the provision of audio equipment to Tupou College
in 1997; and
provision of IT equipment to USP from the year 2002 to 2005.
In
addition,
there have been a total of two hundred and twenty one (221) Grant Assistance for
Grassroots Human Security Projects, or the GGP, where Japan
renovated educational
institutions including government primary schools,
high schools
and vocational institutions, and also upgraded equipments to those
educational institutions. Furthermore, more than two hundred (200) Japanese
volunteers, out of four hundred (400) volunteers ever dispatched to Tonga, have
worked in the education sector to date.
You may
say the Kingdom of Tonga is a small island country with quite limited natural
resources, like Japan. On the other hand, you have rich human resources and
therefore, education is vital for you to exploit and utilise for the efficient
and effective development of your country. Japan would like to continue to
support the education sector here in Tonga.
Japan and ‘Eua High School
As I
mentioned before, ‘Eua High School was included as a Japanese grant aid project
for improvement of Outer Island Secondary Schools Facilities in 1991 &
1992. I am very pleased to see you still enjoying the provided facilities. The
Government of Japan also provided two GGP projects to ‘Eua High School in 2000
and again in 2008. On my first official visit to ‘Eua in July 2010, I was very
pleased to attend the official commissioning ceremony of the 2008 GGP project
to ‘Eua High School, which included the installing of windows and window
frames.
Since 1994, Japan has dispatched a
total of fourteen (14) volunteers to ‘Eua High School - nine (9) Japanese language
instructors, three (3) industrial design instructors, one (1) PC
instructor, and one (1) science and math instructor. Unfortunately
Mr. Keitaro Sato, current Japanese volunteer, cannot make it today to cerebrate
this beautiful occasion together with us, however I would like to thank you all
for accepting him warmly as a member of ‘Eua High School and the ‘Eua
community.
I am pleased
to see that ‘Eua High School has become one of the key educational
institutions in Tonga. I have met several ‘Eua High School graduates
who are playing an important role in their profession. So I can see the quality
of education provided in ‘Eua High School.
Appreciation
of Donations
I would like
to express our sincere appreciation, on behalf of the People and the Government
of Japan, to the People and the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga for your
warm sympathy, condolences, and encouragement offered to the victims of the
Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan last March. Furthermore, the People, the
Government, and various organizations of Tonga, presented a substantial amount
of supports and donations, despite the current economic hardships. These
experiences have made me reaffirm how kind and considerate Tongan People are to
Japan and how close, deep, and cordial our relationship is.
Although
there still remain some difficulties in Japan, Japan will recover and become
vibrant again. Japan will become an even more marvellous country with the
cheers and solidarity extended to us by Tonga and other countries. We believe
that it is the best way for Japan to show our appreciation to your kindness.
Conclusion
I would like
to conclude my speech by offering my heartfelt congratulations to ‘Eua High School
again for
reaching its 25th anniversary. I am very grateful to be invited
here today
and I sincerely hope that ‘Eua High School will continue to play a significant
role in education here in the Kingdom of Tonga. Finally, to the ‘Eua High School alumni,
current students and all supporting individuals who are celebrating this festive
event, I wish you all the best in everything you do and hope that you enjoy the
rest of this celebration.
Malo
‘Aupito.
This assistance is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, or otherwise known as the GGP. The GGP is specifically designed to improve Basic Human Needs, such as projects that are highly beneficial at the grass-roots level and those that require timely support on humanitarian grounds.
It is a great honour to be asked to be a guest speaker at this important event of the National Marking of White Ribbon Day
Today's theme, "Men in Education on Violence Against Women" highlights the importance of educating men. Most men do not use violence. But when violence occurs, it is mostly inflicted by males.
