Japan-Trinidad and Tobago Relations
Japan-Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
May 1, 2023
On May 1, commencing at 10:15 a.m. (local time; 11:15 p.m. on the same day JST) for approximately 150 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, held a foreign ministers’ meeting and a working lunch with Senator the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The overview is as follows. Prior to the meeting, the two ministers held a Flag Raising Ceremony.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed that he is pleased to visit Trinidad and Tobago as the first Japanese Foreign Minister, and stated that the two countries, which will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations next year, are important partners who share values and principles, and that he hopes to deepen cooperation in the international arena. In response, Minister Brown welcomed Minister Hayashi's visit, mentioning that this visit will elevate the bilateral relation to the next level, and expressed his desire to further strengthen the relationship. The two ministers also shared the view to further promote bilateral relations through discussions in the task force for next year's "Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024", including culture and people-to- people exchanges
- Minister Hayashi explained that Japan has been providing finely-tuned assistance to CARICOM Member States, including Trinidad and Tobago, as part of its cooperation to overcome the vulnerability particular to small island states. Minister Hayashi also stated that, as part of the environmental and climate change initiatives, Japan is providing grant assistance to Trinidad and Tobago in order to remove Sargassum seaweed, which adversely affects important industries of the country, the tourism and fishery, and that Japan will continue to provide necessary assistance in the areas of environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. Minister Brown expressed his gratitude for Japan's support in meeting the challenges of Trinidad and Tobago, including measures against COVID-19.
- Minister Hayashi explained the activities of Japanese companies in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly in the energy sector, and requested the continued cooperation. In addition, Minister Hayashi stated that, regarding food security, Japan is working at the G7 from the perspective of establishing resilient supply chains, and that Japan values the role of Trinidad and Tobago in exporting fertilizer materials.In response, Minister Brown welcomed the investment by Japanese companies and expressed his hope to strengthen the bilateral economic relations as well as to contribute to the international community including in the area of food security.
- In addition, Minister Hayashi explained Japan's efforts to realize a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" and called for cooperation to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Foreign Minister Brown stated that he understood Japan’s leadership.
- The two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, the situation in East Asia, including the response to North Korea in the face of its nuclear and missile activities, as well as responses to other issues of the international community, such as climate change, economic security issues including economic coercion, strengthening the function of the United Nations as a whole, including UN Security Council reform, and confirmed that they would continue to work together.
- (Appendix) Joint Press Release “Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, for the upcoming 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago” (Japanese (PDF)
/ English (PDF))