On 19 June 2026 Comendador Anthony Bailey, Hon Consul-General of HM The King of Tonga to the Portuguese Republic, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Nakagawa Tsutomu, Ambassador of Japan at the Ambassador’s Residence in Lisbon.
The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding friendship between the Kingdom of Tonga and Japan and to exchange views on matters of mutual interest relating to the Pacific region and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Discussions reflected the close and enduring relationship between the Royal Family of Tonga and the Imperial Family of Japan. The Consul-General recalled the historic visit of Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to the Kingdom of Tonga in July 2015, in their then capacities as Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan, to attend the Coronation of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu. Their presence at this important national occasion symbolised the longstanding friendship and mutual respect enjoyed by the two dynasties.
The Ambassador and the Consul-General also noted that Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu travelled to Japan in October 2019 to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, further demonstrating the close personal ties that continue to unite the two dynasties.
Particular reference was made to the important role currently being played by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, who serves as Tonga’s Minister for HM Diplomatic Services and Minister for HM Armed Forces. The Ambassador and the Consul-General discussed His Royal Highness’s recent official engagements in Japan, which have further strengthened bilateral cooperation through high-level dialogue on regional security, maritime cooperation, disaster resilience, sustainable development and the enduring partnership between Japan and the Pacific Island countries.
Comendador Bailey also reflected upon his recent visit to the Embassy of Japan in Nukuʻalofa, where he paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Hisao Inagaki, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga. Discussions on that occasion likewise focused on the longstanding friendship between the two countries, Japan’s continuing support for the Kingdom’s development and resilience, and opportunities to further strengthen cooperation across the Pacific region.
The Ambassador and the Consul-General also discussed Japan’s longstanding commitment to the development of the Kingdom of Tonga. For many decades Japan has been one of Tonga’s closest and most valued development partners, providing extensive support through grant assistance, technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes.
Japanese assistance has included investment in transport infrastructure, ports, fisheries, healthcare, education, renewable energy, water supply, disaster preparedness and climate resilience, together with scholarships, professional training and humanitarian assistance following major natural disasters, including the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022. This enduring partnership continues to make an important contribution to Tonga’s sustainable development and the wellbeing of its people.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the many opportunities and challenges facing the Pacific region. As Pacific nations, Japan and Tonga share a strong commitment to regional peace and stability, maritime security, the sustainable management of the oceans, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, economic development and the promotion of a free, open and rules-based international order. Both sides agreed that there were valuable opportunities for both diplomatic missions in Lisbon to work closely together in promoting greater awareness of Pacific affairs and in further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two friendly Pacific nations.
Embassy of Japan in Portugal
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