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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson (third right); Jamaica's Ambassador to Japan, Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards (second right); Commissioner General, Jamaica Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Maureen Smith (right), along with Japanese officials enjoy performances by Jamaican artistes during the National Day Ceremony, held on August 6 at Expo 2025 Japan.

Jamaica Reaffirms Strong Partnership with Japan at Expo 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, has reaffirmed the deep and multifaceted partnership between Jamaica and Japan, highlighting decades of cooperation built on shared values, mutual respect and active engagement across multiple sectors....

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, reaffirms Jamaica's commitment to peace and solidarity, during an official ceremony held to commemorate Jamaica's National Day at Expo 2025, in Japan, on August 6.

Jamaica Marks National Day at Expo 2025 with Message of Peace and Global Solidarity

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (seated, centre), is flanked by the nine citizens who received awards during the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and the St. James Municipal Corporation’s Independence Flag Raising and Civic Ceremony, held at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St. James, on Wednesday (August 6).

Jamaicans Encouraged to Build Just and Equitable Society

Digicel Rising Star 2024 winner, Akeen Fennell (left) and recording artistes Naomi Cowan (centre) and Jesse Royal (second right), share a photo opportunity with visitors at the Jamaica Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan on Tuesday, August 5. The trio are currently in Japan to perform at the highly anticipated National Day Concert on Wednesday, August 6.

Photos: Jamaican Artistes visit Country Pavilion at Expo 2025 Japan

Members of the Port Antonio Theatre Group are animated in performance at the staging of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Mello-Go-Roun 2025 on Monday (Aug. 4), at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.

Photos: Mello-Go-Roun 2025

Law student at the University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI), Paris Ferguson.

7 months ago Independence

Independence More Than Festivities For Young Jamaicans

As the nation celebrates its 63rd year of Independence on August 6, Jamaica’s youth are taking the time to reflect on what the milestone represents to them beyond concerts, civic ceremonies, cultural events, parades and other festivities. For many, independence is a deeply personal and empowering concept, symbolising freedom of thought, identity, self-determination, and national pride. Law student at the...

7 months ago IndependenceYouth

Youth Embrace Independence With Pride and Excitement

Jamaican youth are proudly embracing the spirit of Independence, as celebrations marking the nation’s 63 years of self-rule gain momentum across the island. In a vox pop carried out by the JIS recently to get the views of young persons on how they are planning to spend Independence 2025 under this year’s theme, ‘Be Proud, Be Bold in Black, Green...

Grammy-nominated poet and recording artiste, Yasus Afari, performs during Day 1 of his two-day poetry session at Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, on Monday, August 4.

7 months ago Independence

Jamaica Shines at Expo 2025 Japan Ahead of National Day on August 6

Jamaica’s presence at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, is generating a wave of energy and excitement as the island shares its rich cultural heritage through dance, poetry and music, all leading up to its National Day on August 6. August 6 also marks the country’s 63rd Independence and the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in Japan. The...

Flyer with ticket outlet information for the Jamaica 63 Grand Gala celebration.

7 months ago CultureIndependence

2,500 Performers for Grand Gala

Jamaica will celebrate 63 years of Independence on Wednesday (August 6) at the National Stadium in Kingston with the annual Grand Gala, under the theme ‘Be Proud, Be Bold, in Black, Green and Gold’. The event is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Oliva Grange, told...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, speaks at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank.

7 months ago CultureIndependence

Personal Drones and Vuvuzela Horns Prohibited at Grand Gala

Jamaicans are being urged not to take personal drones or vuvuzela horns to the Jamaica 63 Independence Grand Gala, set for the National Stadium in Kingston on Wednesday, August 6. The appeal came from Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank. “Vuvuzelas are being discouraged. It is very...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (standing, centre) and Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for St. James North West, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang (standing, right) share in the signing of documents for the transfer of lands in Albion, St. James to the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society (RCGBS) during a ceremony held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston on Monday (Aug. 4). Signing the documents are Commissioner of Lands, Cheriese Walcott (seated second left); and RCGBS Treasurer, Lewis Brown (seated second right). Waiting to affix their signatures are Legal Officer, Janet Blackwood (seated left); and RCGBS Chair, Gregory Taylor (seated right). Observing (standing from left) are the Culture Ministry’s liaison officer for Rastafari affairs, Barbara Blake-Hannah; RCGBS Secretary, Pamela Williams; and RCGBS Public Relations Officer, Donovan Murdoch.

7 months ago CultureOffice of the Prime Minister

Gov`t Transfers Lands to Rastafari Community

The Government has transferred two properties in Albion, St. James to the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society (RCGBS), which will be developed to house a permanent elder care home for members of the Rastafari community. The land transfer ceremony, held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston on Monday (Aug. 4), is part of a broader programme of...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), presents 2025 Gospel Star winner, Raheim Betty, with his $1 million cheque and trophy at the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition, held on Sunday (August 3), at the National Indoor Sports Centre, in St. Andrew.

7 months ago CultureEmancipationIndependence

Jamaica Gospel Star Crowned

Raheim Betty was crowned the 2025 Jamaica Gospel Star, following a powerful night of worship, inspiration, and musical excellence at the National Indoor Sports Centre, in St. Andrew, on Sunday (August 3). Mr. Betty emerged the winner from a group of four finalists, delivering a moving performance of ‘I Must Tell Jesus’, that moved the audience to worship and praise....