Japan-Jamaica Relations
Courtesy Call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII Iwao by H.E. Ms. Shorna-Kay M. RICHARDS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Jamaica to Japan
December 10, 2025
On December 10th, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII Iwao received a farewell courtesy call from H.E. Ms. Shorna-Kay M. RICHARDS, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Jamaica to Japan. The summary is as follows.
- At the outset, State Minister Horii stated that bilateral relations had made remarkable progress following last year's 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica and the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Richards for her contributions to the intensification of high-level exchanges during her tenure, including the visit to Japan by Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Juliet Holness and three visits to Japan by Foreign Minister Mrs. Kamina Johnson Smith.
- In response, Ambassador Richards expressed gratitude for Japan's swift emergency assistance following the hurricane damage in October, as well as for Japan's ongoing support to Jamaica in areas such as marine and fisheries sectors. She also stated her desire to continue cooperating to further advance the friendly relations between the two countries even after her departure.
- Both sides confirmed that they will continue to work closely together as partners sharing common values and principles on regional and international issues, and agreed to jointly strive for the further development of bilateral relations.