December 6, 2013
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Japan and Tonga established the first Japanese Language Lab in the Kingdom
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On December 6, 2014, His Excellency Dr. Kazuchika Hamuro, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga, formally commissioned the Heilala-Sakula Japanese Language center at the Tonga Institute of Education (TIOE). Honorable Dr. 'Ana Maui Taufe'ulungaki, Minister for Education and Training, accompanying with Dr. Raelyn 'Esau, Dean of TIOE, attended the ceremony on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Japan provided a grant of approximately US 117,234 dollars to establish the Japanese Language Center under the TIOE. The Project consisted of one two-classroom building, equipments for language learning and faculty development (PC, LCD Displays, and DVD players, and other items), and more than 80 Japanese language textbooks, written either in Japanese or English as well as 30 audio-visual program DVDs. The center aims to provide a better learning environment for Japanese language learners and a hub for the faculty development of Tongan Japanese language teachers, collaborating with JICA volunteers. The Center will officially open in January 2014 after the TIOE starts new academic year and install the remaining goods to be purchased.
His Excellency mentioned that Japanese language remains one of the center pillars of Japan-Tonga relationship and the Embassy's activities and appreciated the efforts made by the dean and other staff of TIOE to complete the project smoothly. Honorable Dr. Taufe'ulungaki expressed the appreciation to the project on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom and encouraged their efforts to improve quality of Japanese Language education.
