Japan and Tonga have signed a new agreement aimed at boosting the Pacific nation’s disaster resilience through the installation of solar-powered infrastructure to support emergency communications.
The deal was formalised on 10 December in Nuku’alofa, where Japan’s Ambassador to Tonga, H.E. Inagaki Hisao, and Tongan Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke exchanged notes for an Economic and Social Development Programme worth up to 400 million yen.
Tonga, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, faces frequent cyclones, volcanic activity, and rising sea levels. Japan has previously supported the strengthening of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), which now plays a crucial national role in issuing rapid disaster alerts and safety messages.
The new programme will further reinforce Tonga’s early-warning capacity by supplying containerised solar power systems, pole-mounted transformers, and related equipment to stabilise TBC’s communications network during emergencies.
The initiative aligns with Japan’s commitments under the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 10), where climate change and disaster preparedness were identified as key priorities.
The partnership reinforces Japan’s broader pledge to continue development assistance and people-to-people exchanges across the Pacific, supporting long-term regional resilience under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Image credit: Aleen Prasad
