News & Topics

A massive volcanic eruption and tsunami have hit the Kingdom of Tonga

　　　　　

A massive underwater volcano near Tonga erupted on January 15 and devastated the islands with tsunami waves and choking ash. Japan too, is situated on volatile lands, and we are no stranger to the terrible aftermath and long recovery that the brave Tongans will face in the coming weeks, months and years as they rebuild and restore lives and infrastructure. 

　　

Japan and Tonga are not only joined by having similar geography. Like Japan, Tonga has an imperial family and both nations share a deep rooted humility and humbleness. And Tonga, like Japan, treats others with great respect and hospitality. We are also trading partners, with Japan receiving Tonga’s famous pumpkins, and Tonga receiving Japan’s used cars, and together enjoying a love for rugby.

　　　　　

The Kingdom of Tonga is an island nation with a population of about 100,000 people, and is located about 8,000 km southeast of Japan. Tonga is made up of about 170 islands of various sizes, which when combined have an area of around 720 square kilometers. This is only about the size of Japan’s Amami Oshima Island or roughly the size of Kyoto. Nevertheless, despite the country’s relative small size, the nation’s people have large hearts, a rich culture and of course, powerful rugby players. You could say the same about Japan.

It may surprise many to know that most of the pumpkins that come into Japan are from Tonga. So if you love simmered pumpkin (kabocha no nimono), the pumpkin you have eaten most likely arrived by ship from Tonga, and those ships that carry them send back used Japanese cars for sale locally in Tonga. When you walk around the island of Tonga, you will see that most of the cars on the road are Japanese cars, and you will even see many trucks with store names in Japanese on them.

The island is also known for its thriving rugby, and has sent many great players to the join the Japanese national teams that have played in the Rugby World Cup. Tonga is also the home of two of Asahi University Rugby Club’s very own much treasured players, both sharing the popular Tongan name, Sione.

　　　　　

　　　　

Tonga donated 200,000 pa’anga (about 9 million yen) to Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. We at Asahi University would like to express our deepest sympathy to Tonga, which has a close relationship with Japan. We are proud to initiate a “fundraising campaign” to do our part in supporting Tonga. We pray for the safety of its people and for their quick recovery and reconstruction.

　　　

Chairman Jun Miyata

President of Asahi University Katsuyuki Ohtomo

Shu Fujiwara, Director of the Rugby Football Club

Mitsuru Yoshikawa, Head Coach of the Rugby Football Club

　　　　　

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact the General Affairs Division of Asahi University (TEL: +81-58-329-1022).