Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, has restated his country’s commitment to strengthening its friendship and relations with CARICOM countries.
Minister Motegi reaffirmed Japan’s high esteem of CARICOM during the Seventh Japan-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministerial-Level Conference, which was held online, on Tuesday 20 July 2021. The conference commenced at 1 pm Jamaica time (3 am on July 21 Japan time).
The Japanese Foreign Minister currently is visiting Jamaica. This is the first time that a Japanese foreign minister has attended a CARICOM ministerial-level conference in a Caribbean country.
Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, E.P. Chet Greene MP, the Co-Chair for the CARICOM side, welcomed Minister Motegi’s visit and expressed his intention to further strengthen Japan-CARICOM relations. Also, he expressed his hope for the success of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympics.
At the outset of the virtual meeting, Minister Motegi expressed his condolences over the murder of H.E. Mr. Jovenel Moïse, President of the Republic of Haiti, in the early hours of July 7th.
Minister Motegi stated that Japan places importance on its relations with CARICOM, which shares the same basic values as Japan. He also indicated his hopes to hold exchanges of views on matters such as the post-COVID-19 international order.
Minister Motegi and the CARICOM foreign ministers confirmed that Japan’s assistance to CARICOM is progressing and exchanged views on measures against COVID-19, disaster resilience, the environment, and responding to climate change.
The Japanese Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of international collaboration on measures against COVID-19 and explained that Japan is implementing measures such as “Last One Mile Support”, which provides medical equipment and builds cold chain systems.
In relation to natural disasters, a shared challenge of Japan and the CARICOM, Minister Motegi reported that Japan is striving to strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities and providing aid in response to the volcanic eruption in Saint Vincent, among other matters.
CARICOM foreign ministers expressed gratitude for Japan’s support to the region in particular, and its consideration to small and developing states. They noted specially the severe impact of issues such as COVID-19 and climate change on the CARICOM member states and the importance of access to vaccines.
The ministerial meeting also discussed cooperation in international fora, including in relation to regional affairs such as North Korea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea, as well as United Nations Security Council reform.
Minister Motegi outlined Japan’s initiatives towards the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and called for cooperation towards maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law. In addition, Minister Motegi requested understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
About the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
A Caribbean cooperation framework consisting of 14 countries and 1 region: Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Montserrat (British overseas territory).
About the three pillars of “Japan’s CARICOM Policy”
Announced by (then) Prime Minister Abe at the 2014 Japan-CARICOM Summit Meeting, these are:
(1) Cooperation towards sustainable development, including overcoming the vulnerabilities particular to small island states.
(2) Deepening and expanding fraternal bonds of cooperation and friendship.
(3) Cooperation in addressing challenges of the international community.
