2 Regional Organizations

In addition to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)¹ and the Organization of American States (OAS), the following regional organizations in the LAC region conduct policy coordination on various issues. There is also the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), which consists of 36 member states. In November, Japan invited six young leaders of FEALAC member states to Japan to exchange views on the “use of digital transformation (DX), green transformation (GX), science, and technology in the field of food security.”

• 1 CELAC: Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States)

(1) Pacific Alliance

The Pacific Alliance (composed of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru; hereafter referred to as “PA”) aims to promote free mobility of goods, services, and more within the region and to build a foundation for expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. In 2021, Singapore became the PA's first Associate State. As of the end of December 2023, Ecuador and Costa Rica were in negotiations to become member states, and Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) were in negotiations to become Associate States.

Japan is an observer state of the PA, and places importance on cooperation with it as a group with which Japan shares fundamental values. At a relevant meeting of the PA held in Mexico City in November 2022, Foreign Minister Hayashi participated in a video message and spoke about the promotion of specific cooperation with the PA in the field of disaster risk reduction and other areas.

(2) Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR)²

MERCOSUR (composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) decided to officially admit Bolivia to MERCOSUR, which had previously been an Associate State, in December. With a few exceptions, tariffs have been eliminated for all goods traded within the MERCOSUR region. It also signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore in December, and negotiations are underway with the ROK, Canada, and other countries. Meanwhile, Venezuela's participation has been suspended.

• 2 MERCOSUR: Mercado Común del Sur (Southern Common Market)

(3) Caribbean Community (CARICOM)³

CARICOM was founded by 14 Caribbean nations for economic integration and foreign policy coordination. It has a large presence in the international arena due to its coordinated actions. Although CARICOM countries include many countries with relatively high incomes, they are threatened by natural disasters such as catastrophic hurricanes almost every year and also face vulnerabilities particular to small island states due to the small size of their populations and economies. In Haiti, the administrative and legislative systems have not been functioning adequately due to domestic political turmoil following the assassination of the president in 2021. There are concerns that the humanitarian situation of the people in Haiti will deteriorate due to the growing power of armed groups (gangs). In response, the UNSC decided in October to dispatch a Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti. In light of the Mission's dispatch, Japan decided to provide additional assistance of approximately 14 million U.S. dollars for the purpose of restoring the security and humanitarian situation.

Japan is leading its diplomacy in accordance with the three pillars for Japan-CARICOM cooperation ((a) Cooperation towards sustainable development, including overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island states; (b) Deepening and expanding fraternal bonds of cooperation and friendship; and (c) Cooperation in addressing challenges of the international community). Japan is also providing support to high-income level countries based on their development needs and economic capabilities.

In regard to relations with Japan, for the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024, Foreign Minister Hayashi became the first Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Trinidad and Tobago as well as Barbados in May. Also in May, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takei participated in the Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of CARICOM held in Jamaica, where he presented the logo of the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024 together with the ministers of foreign affairs of various CARICOM countries. In addition, Foreign Minister Kamikawa exchanged views to strengthen bilateral relations and relations with CARICOM, including during her meeting with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados at the UN General Assembly in September. In February 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith of Jamaica visited Japan as a guest of MOFA, during which she held a foreign ministers' meeting and attended the reception to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Jamaica diplomatic relations with State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUGE Yoshifumi.

Japan-Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministers' Meeting (May 1, Trinidad and Tobago)

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takei attends the Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) of CARICOM and unveils the logo for the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024 (May 17, Kingston, Jamaica)

Meeting between Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados (September 20, New York, U.S.)

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuge attends the reception for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica together with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Johnson Smith (center) and Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan Richards (right) (February 8, 2024, Tokyo)

• 3 CARICOM: Caribbean Community (Member countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Bahamas, Barbados, and Belize)