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Japanese Ambassador Presents Credentials

Today, Japan’s new Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa, has presented his credentials to His Majesty King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa.

Mr. Namekawa began his career as an Economist in April 1974 at Japan’s Economic Planning Agency (EPA). Since then he has held significant government positions as Planning Coordinator at the National Land Agency, Councilor for the Minister’s Secretariat at EPA, and Senior Planner of the Planning Bureau of EPA. He was dispatched in 1994 to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand as an expert for long-term economic development planning. He was assigned as the Deputy Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, in 2001, and became, in 2003, the Cabinet Councilor and Director for the Headquaters for the Promotion of Special Zones for Structural Reform and also the Headquaters for the Regional Revitalization in the Cabinet Secretariat, before he acquired his diplomatic posting to the Kingdom of Tonga.

Ambassador Namekawa has expressed his special feelings and enthusiasm towards the Pacific Islands Region and is keen to assist towards peace and stability, as well as the economic and social development of the Pacific Region with his diverse experience. He also said that he would like to further strengthen the existing excellent relationship between Tonga and Japan.