Barbados and Japan value their relationship, and they intend to continue enhancing this partnership.
This was expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, and the new Ambassador of Japan to Barbados, Miyasaka Yusuke, during a courtesy call today at the Ministry’s Culloden Road, St. Michael location.
Mr. Symmonds officially welcomed the Ambassador and conveyed thanks to the Japanese Government for over 50 years of building strong bilateral relations with the Government of Barbados, stating “we don’t just build partnerships, we build friendships”.
The Minister suggested that there be a twinning of cities between Barbados and Japan to facilitate closer cooperation and exchange of practices, and the Ambassador agreed that it would be a nice initiative, which would be presented for consideration.
Ambassador Yusuke said he was delighted to be in Barbados and expressed thanks to the Ministry’s staff for participating in the recent event marking the 65th birthday of Emperor Naruhito.
He stated that he would try his best to improve the bilateral relationship and mentioned some areas that Japan will continue to provide assistance to Barbados, including climate resilience and disaster recovery, and the United Nations’ Industrial Development Organization and Development Programme Projects. The Ambassador also offered to share knowledge and expertise as well as technical cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The two officials also discussed several issues, including multilateralism; climate financing; the Bridgetown Initiative; sustainable housing; cultural exchanges; renewal energy, specifically battery storage; the possible opening of a Barbados Embassy in Japan; water circulation systems; and Japan’s World Expo, 2025 being held in Osaka, Kansai.
Also present during the courtesy call were Senior Foreign Service Officer, Trecia King; Foreign Service Officer, Asha Pitt; the Japanese Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission; and the Embassy’s First Secretary, Shitau Miura.
Barbados and Japan established diplomatic relations on August 29, 1967.
