Tonga Secures $6 Million Japanese Grant for Biometric Passport System

New Biometric Passport System Launched

The Kingdom of Tonga has officially moved to implement a new biometric passport system, following the signing of an agreement for a US$6 million grant from the Government of Japan. The formal exchange of notes for the 'Project for Enhancing Border Management Capacity through the Introduction of the eMRP (Electronic Machine-Readable Passport)' took place on September 25, 2025, in Nuku'alofa, Tonga's capital. This significant step is set to modernize the nation's border security and administrative services.

Collaboration and Objectives

The project is a collaborative effort between the Tongan government, the Government of Japan, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which will oversee its implementation over a 3.5-year period. Key figures present at the signing ceremony included His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, Tonga's Minister for Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr. Inagaki Hisao, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga; and Mr. Solomon Kantha, Chief of Mission and Subregional Coordinator for the South Pacific at IOM.

The primary objectives of introducing the biometric passport system are multifaceted:

• To strengthen border control capacity and overall national security.
• To counter transnational crime and significantly reduce the risk of identity fraud.
• To improve and modernize service delivery for Tongan citizens, including those residing in remote outer islands and abroad.
• To facilitate Tonga's transition from standard machine-readable passports to an advanced e-Passport system that complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
• To support the revision of relevant laws and regulations related to immigration control, develop human resources through training immigration staff, and install necessary e-passport issuing equipment.

Ambassador Inagaki Hisao emphasized that the system will 'provide citizens with faster and more efficient access to government services' and allow the Tongan government to 'manage data with high security standards in line with international norms.'

Broader Context and Japanese Support

This initiative is part of Tonga's broader digital transformation agenda and aligns with Japan's commitments under the PALM10 Leaders' Declaration and its Joint Action Plan, focusing on 'Peace and Security' and 'Technology and Connectivity.' The e-passport project builds upon previous Japanese support, including the successful implementation of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) in October 2024.

Furthermore, this grant complements another substantial aid package from Japan, totaling US$17.7 million, dedicated to upgrading Fua'amotu International Airport. These combined investments underscore Japan's deepening role in enhancing Tonga's infrastructure, governance, and regional connectivity.