Press Releases
Japan-Belize Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
December 14, 2024


On December 14, commencing at 5:00 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology of Belize, 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 Fonseca on the occasion of the Eighth Japan-CARICOM Ministerial-Level Conference held on the same day, and stated that Japan would like to continue to maintain momentum of strengthening relations with Belize next year, the Japan-SICA Friendship Year.
- Minister Iwaya noted on Japan’s provision of support over the past decade towards overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to low-lying coastal states and sustainable development, in line with the three pillars of Japan’s CARICOM policy. In response, Minister Fonseca expressed his appreciation for Japan’s cooperation and his expectation for further cooperation.
- The two ministers confirmed the further strengthening of Japan-CARICOM relations and Japan-Belize bilateral relations. The two ministers also shared views on the importance of building up various dialogues and reinforce relations.
(Reference)Basic data of Belize
Belize covers an area of approximately 23,000 square kilometers (slightly bigger than the size of Shikoku), and has a population of approximately 410,000 people (World Bank, 2022) and a gross national income (GNI) per capita of approximately 6,800 U.S. dollars (World Bank, 2022).