Japan-Trinidad and Tobago Relations
Japan-Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 7, 2026
On August 7, commencing at 11:30 a.m. local time (0:30 a.m. Japan time on August 8) for 70 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, held a meeting with the Honourable Sean Sobers, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. At the beginning of the meeting, a welcoming ceremony was held for Minister MOTEGI’s visit.
- At the outset, Minister Sobers welcomed Minister MOTEGI’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago and expressed his sympathy and solidarity in light of the significant damage caused by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake. In response, Minister MOTEGI expressed his appreciation. Minister Sobers stated that Trinidad and Tobago attaches great importance to its relations with Japan, and that he wishes to work closely with Japan not only on bilateral matters but also in multilateral fora. In response, Minister MOTEGI stated that, amid significant changes in the international situation, Japan wishes to further strengthen its relations with Trinidad and Tobago, a friend with which Japan shares values and principles.
- Minister MOTEGI explained the concept of and initiatives under the Updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).” Both Ministers confirmed that Japan and Trinidad and Tobago, as like-minded partners, would advance concrete cooperation under FOIP. The two Ministers concurred on promoting cooperation in the energy sector, including natural gas, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, along with efforts to address challenges such as disaster risk reduction, environmental challenges and water infrastructure.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on the regional situation, including the Indo-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. Minister MOTEGI pointed out that, at a time when the free and open international order based on the rule of law is being put to the test, close cooperation with Caribbean countries that share the same values and principles has become all the more important, and the two Ministers concurred on further strengthening relations between Japan and CARICOM (the Caribbean Community). Minister MOTEGI explained Japan’s position in responding to North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue. In response, Minister Sobers expressed his full support for Japan and stated that Trinidad and Tobago would continue close cooperation in dealing with North Korea.
- In addition, Minister MOTEGI congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in June, and the two ministers concurred on further strengthening cooperation in international fora, including on Security Council reform.