When it comes to the world’s least populated country, most people will name Vatican City. But surprisingly little is known about the country with the second smallest population. Niue
, the second least populated country in the world, is located on a 259-square-kilometer island in the South Pacific northeast of New Zealand. Originally part of New Zealand, it became recognized as a country in 2007 when it established its first diplomatic ties with China. Japan also recognized Niue as a state in 2015, making it the newest country in the world. In this small island nation with a population of less than 2,000, there was a Japanese who worked as an assistant to the Prime Minister. His name is Taiichi Wada ( 44 years old). He has also appeared on Matsuko Deluxe and downtown Hitoshi Matsumoto’s program, and each time his checkered life became a big topic. What kind of place is Niue and why did Mr. Wada get such an important post?
A businessman who circumnavigates the earth 40 times in a year
―What did Wada-san do in the first place?
My father is American and my mother is Japanese. Due to my father’s work, I was in America from high school to university. I didn’t understand English at all at first (laughs). There were too many things I wanted to do while I was in school, so I started various businesses. I also ran an online English conversation school for Japanese people, an American real estate brokerage, and a Segway import agency.
Now, I travel to about 22 countries in a month, so in a year, I travel around the world 40 times and do a wide range of business. I’m doing too much and I can’t even grasp what I’m doing (laughs). At the same time, I have been serving as Advisor to the Prime Minister in Niue since 2010.
―What kind of country is Niue, where you live?
It is an island nation near New Zealand. It is a rare place to be independent as a country while being a vassal state of New Zealand.
The current population is about 1,700, including many from New Zealand and Finland. But most of the population is Niuean, and there is also a Niuean language.
Source Taken From: https://gendai.media/articles/-/109979?utm_source=pocket_saves