Seven new Japanese volunteers have arrived in Tonga to begin assignments supporting education, disaster resilience, and media development.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers landed in April and are set to commence their roles on 23 May. Six will serve two-year terms, while one will complete a five-month placement. Their work spans government ministries and non-governmental organisations.
The group was welcomed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Viliami Malolo, and Volunteer Committee Chairperson, Mr Isikeli Oko, who expressed gratitude for their contributions to national development.
Assignments include soccer coaching with the Tonga Football Association (Mr Shinsuke Ogiso), program production at the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (Mr Azusa Takeuchi), and soroban (abacus) teaching at the Ministry of Education and Training (Mr Masato Michihara). Two volunteers will work with the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC): Ms Ako Nakura in disaster risk reduction and Ms Ai Owaki in environmental education. Ms Yuri Murata will teach dressmaking at the Ahopanilolo Technical Institute, while Ms Haruyo Kubo will conduct a five-month music program at the Tupou Tertiary Institute.
The volunteers are currently undergoing orientation, including Tongan language and cultural training. JICA stated, “These volunteers will significantly contribute to their respective fields and foster strong relationships between the people of Tonga and their partner organizations”.
Since 1973, JICA has dispatched 589 Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to Tonga, including 18 currently in-country . This year marks the 60th anniversary of JICA’s volunteer program, which has sent over 57,000 volunteers to 99 countries since 1965.
