Latin America and the Caribbean

(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that it was unfortunate that he was unable to visit Jamaica and that he would like to visit Jamaica in the future if the opportunity arises. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his intention to further deepen and expand the bilateral relationship on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica and the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2014. Prime Minister Simpson-Miller welcomed meeting with Prime Minister Abe again in the CARICOM region and stated that her visit to Japan in November last year was very fruitful. Prime Minister Simpson-Miller also mentioned that the Training Squadron of Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces called on Kingston commemorating the 50th anniversary and mutual understanding was deepened through various exchange programs with them.

(2) Touching on the fact that the two countries have shared fundamental values and maintained traditionally friendly relations as island countries, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would like to invite Mr. Michael Peart, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jamaica, this year as part of the crystallization of parliamentary exchanges mentioned in the joint declaration released in November last year and Prime Minister Simpson-Miller welcomed the proposal.

(1) Stating the need for enhanced mutually beneficial economic relations, Prime Minister Abe stated that the Government of Japan had implemented assistance in a wide range of fields such as infrastructure, environment and disaster risk reduction, as well as education. Prime Minister Abe also noted to provide equipment and machinery that contribute to recovery from disasters or disaster risk reduction, and in this connection, had newly dispatched experts. Prime Minister Abe further stated that the Japanese Government would provide support for overcoming vulnerabilities particular to small island states.

(2) In response to the above, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller expressed her gratitude for the support from Japan and appreciated Japan’s understanding of the vulnerabilities particular to small island stets. Moreover, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller appreciated Japanese enterprises which have been making investments in Jamaica over a long period of time, and expressed expectation for more investment from Japanese enterprises. In addition, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller stated that the Government of Jamaica has been implementing its domestic measures based on the “Agreement on Technical Cooperation between Japan and Jamaica” signed in November last year. 

(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that he would continue exchange programs for younger generations, such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Program, and introduced “Sport for Tomorrow.” Prime Minister Simpson-Miller highly appreciated the JET Programme, congratulated Prime Minister Abe for hosting the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, expressed her expectation toward success of the Tokyo Olympics and welcomed “Sport for Tomorrow.”

(2) Concerning tourism, Prime Minister Abe welcomed Jamaica’s participation in Tourism EXPO Japan to be held in Japan this autumn in addition to the participation of CARICOM, and expressed his expectation that the number of tourists from both countries would increase. Prime Minister Simpson-Miller also stated that she would like to see more Japanese tourists to Jamaica.