Press Releases
Japan-The Bahamas Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
December 13, 2024
On December 13, commencing at 8:15 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, who is visiting Japan to attend the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Iwaya welcomed the visit to Japan by Minister Mitchell on the occasion of the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference scheduled on December 14, as well as the 50th anniversary of Japan-The Bahamas diplomatic relations next year. Furthermore, he expresses his congratulation and expectation of the establishment of the Japan-The Bahamas Parliamentary Friendship Association.
- Minister Iwaya noted on Japan’s provision of support over the past decade towards overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island and low-lying states and sustainable development, in line with the three pillars of Japan’s CARICOM policy. In addition, he stated that Japan is extending approximately 2.1 million U.S. dollars in support through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) for the development of disaster management systems. In response, Minister Mitchell expressed his appreciation for such cooperation from Japan and hoped that the international community, including Japan, cooperate for the elimination of disparities and overcoming vulnerabilities.
- The two ministers confirmed the further strengthening of Japan-CARICOM relations and Japan-The Bahamas bilateral relations. The two ministers also concurred to the necessity of the importance of considering values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and rule of law and building up various dialogues to lead the world worried about fragmentation to cooperation.
(Reference)Basic data of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
The Bahamas covers an area of approximately 14,000 square kilometers (about the same size as Fukushima Prefecture), and has a population of approximately 410,000 people (World Bank, 2021) and a gross national income (GNI) per capita of approximately 30,000 U.S. dollars (World Bank, 2022).