Japan-Jamaica Relations
Foreign Minister Motegi Visits Jamaica
July 20, 2021
On July 20, commencing at 9 a.m. (11p.m. Japan time) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Jamaica, paid a courtesy call to the Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness, ON, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica. Afterwards, commencing at 10 a.m. (12 a.m. on July 21 Japan time) for approximately 70 minutes, Minister Motegi held a foreign ministers’ meeting with Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica. The overview of the series of meetings is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Motegi stated that, although this is the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Jamaica, Japan and Jamaica share the same basic values and enjoy traditionally friendly relations, and expressed his intention to promote further bilateral cooperation in international fora. The Jamaican side welcomed Minister Motegi’s visit and expressed its intention to strengthen the partnership between Japan and Jamaica (J-J Partnership).
- Minister Motegi stated, that as the world fights to overcome COVID-19, Japan will host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in a safe and secure manner, that Japan intends to use the Games as an opportunity to deepen global bonds, and that he hopes the Jamaican athletes will enjoy great success. The Jamaican side expressed its support for the holding of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both ministers confirmed the track record of active exchanges between Japan and Jamaica, including JICA volunteers and the JET Program, and shared the view to continue to promote people-to-people and sports exchanges.
- Minister Motegi explained Japan’s “Last One Mile Support” which provides medical equipment and builds cold chain systems for Jamaica, stating that international cooperation is of the utmost importance for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jamaican side expressed gratitude for Japan’s support and emphasized the importance of fair access to vaccines.
- The Jamaican side expressed its high appraisal of the activities of Japanese companies operating in Jamaica, as well as its hope for the further strengthening of economic relations. Minister Motegi stated that Japanese companies are also paying close attention to Jamaica’s plans to develop special economic zones, and that Japan is considering extending cooperation in the fields of disaster resilience and the environment, towards overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island developing states and their sustainable development.
- Both sides shared the view to work together in responding to global challenges such as climate change and disaster resilience, and to cooperate in international fora, including the United Nations.
- Minister Motegi outlined initiatives towards the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Both sides agreed to work together to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law, while mentioning bilateral cooperation in maritime security and disaster response, among other matters. The two sides also exchanged views on regional affairs, including North Korea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Minister Motegi requested understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and obtained the support of the Jamaican side.