Japan

The Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva met with Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horii, and took the opportunity to raise the matter of funding for the project.

Tonga's government wants to extend the runway at Fua'amotu by 400 metres and estimates it will cost over $US17 million.

Mr Horii said his government looked forward to receiving more details through their embassy regarding the extension and also the possible renovation of the airport terminal.

After a goalless first half, Japan struck twice in seven minutes following the interval to take full control of a gripping last-16 tie in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui scored stunners as Japan looked set to reach the first World Cup quarter-final in their history.

But, instead, Belgium became the first team to come from two goals down to win in a World Cup knockout game since 1970 and will now face five-time winners Brazil on Friday.

With the two sides tied on points and goals heading into their final matches, each required only a point to be sure of a place in the next round.

In bizarre circumstances, though, Japan went down 1-0 to already eliminated Poland as Senegal lost by the same scoreline to Colombia.

With Colombia climbing to the top of the group, yellow card rankings were required and Japan came out on top, having only been cautioned four times to Senegal's six.

Japan, knowing this outcome, opted not to attack in the closing stages and instead gambled on Senegal not scoring in Samara.

After winning their opening games, three points for either side would have made them outright Group H leaders and put them in pole position for a last-16 berth.

As it is, they will have to endure an anxious wait for the result of Poland and Colombia's clash later on Sunday to know what they need to do in the final round of fixtures on Thursday.

Prime Minister of Tonga and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva signed on behalf of the Government and Resident Representative, JICA Tonga Office Shinji Yoshiura signed on behalf of the Government of Japan.

The Group H favourites suffered a nightmarish start to their campaign when Sanchez blocked Shinji Kagawa's shot with his arm after just two minutes and 56 seconds, prompting the referee to brandish the first straight red card for handball at a World Cup since Luis Suarez was sent off against Ghana in 2010.

Kagawa then put Japan ahead from the penalty spot but even with 10 men Jose Pekerman was able to make his side competitive and Juan Fernando Quintero levelled with a free-kick six minutes before half-time.

The Pacific Island Leaders Meeting, known as PALM, is held in Japan every three years.

Japan's government hosts the PALM summits as a way to share its assistance programme with Pacific Island Forum countries.

Ahead of this summit, Tokyo said measures to help Pacific countries enforce maritime law within their maritime jurisdictions would be included in a joint statement for the eighth PALM meeting.

Pacific Island countries struggle to adequately police their exclusive economic zones which have become subject to regular incursions by so-called Vietnamese blue boats.

The flanker has featured in four matches this season, and was named on the bench last weekend but wasn't injected into their clash with the Rebels.

Fakaosilea's contract was supposed to run until the end of the 2018 season, but the Brumbies agreed to release him.

He has struggled to make a consistent mark in his two seasons in Canberra, with injuries and a growing depth in the backrow limiting his chances.

The construction is funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project with a grant amount of USD$87,831.

The new dormitory will also have its own kitchen and bathroom facility.

Principal of Montfort, Brother Curzmecias Sebastian said the project will provide an accommodation facility for students from the outer islands.

Japanese ambassador to Fiji Masahiro Omura said the meeting was held once in every three years since 1997.

“This is an important meeting where leaders of 14 Pacific Island countries get together and we are hoping they all will participate again come next year,” he said.

Omura said Japan was also promoting various forms of exchange programmes for Fiji.