Press Releases
Japan-Jamaica Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 7, 2025
On August 7, commencing at 2:55 p.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, who is visiting Japan on the occasion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Iwaya offered congratulations on the successful National Day of Jamaica on August 6, at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. He also expressed his gratitude for Jamaica’s message calling for a world without nuclear weapons and its commitment to peace, given that the same day marks the 80th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima .
- In response, Minister Johnson Smith stated that the Japan Pavilion at the Expo was excellent and expressed her appreciation for Japan’s cooperation in various fields. She also expressed her intention to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and Jamaica, and between Japan and CARICOM, as the CARICOM chair.
- The two ministers confirmed their commitment to further progress of the bilateral cooperation that contributes to Jamaica and other countries in the region in being able to overcome vulnerabilities and achieve sustainable development.
- In addition, the two ministers exchanged their views on cooperation in the regional and international arenas, including nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as well as cooperation for peace and stability in the Caribbean region, and concurred on further strengthening coordination.
- Both sides also exchanged their views on the situation in East Asia, such as dealing with North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue and Minister Johnson Smith stated that she shares the concerns expressed by Japan. The two ministers concurred that it is important to strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries through opportunities such as the Expo, in order to address challenges facing the international community and the region.