A three-pronged approach to enhancing bilateral relations between Japan and Barbados was proposed recently, when Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, ERI Arfiya, paid a courtesy call on Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, at the Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael.
Vice-Minister Arfiya noted the establishment of a bilateral working group towards the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Barbados, in 2027, would serve as a forum to discuss several issues including efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and the possibilities for cooperation in the international arena.
While alluding to the Bridgetown Initiative, she spoke about the need to strengthen cooperation with respect to addressing natural disasters, focusing on water disaster risk reduction and water utilisation, as well as working with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Government of Barbados.
The Japanese official highlighted the benefits of promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Barbados and her homeland, and stressed the two could continue to work together to explore forms of cooperation that would deepen mutual understanding and also lend to more visits between the two nations.
Minister Humphrey, expressing interest in all three proposed areas of cooperation, acknowledged them as “highly relevant”. He referenced a previous “very good trip” by a Barbadian delegation to Japan, which included visits to Japan’s health ministry and a focus on ageing, disabilities, and homelessness, with a short visit to Okinawa.
The Minister commended the engagement with the Japan Paralympic Association and reiterated Barbados’ strong interest in implementing Japanese tactile paving blocks (tenjiburoku) which, he stressed, would prove “very, very helpful” for Barbadians.
Discussions also saw Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eri Arfiya, formally inviting Barbados to send a representative to the upcoming Expo for its national day. The invitation was presented as a good opportunity for Barbados to visit Japan again and further build on the existing relationship.
And it was emphasised that these past collaborations had laid a positive foundation for future joint initiatives, demonstrating tangible areas of mutual benefit.
Barbados and Japan established diplomatic relations on August 29, 1967.
