Japan Continues to Demonstrate Friendship with Jamaica

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says Japan continues to demonstrate its friendship with Jamaica through the provision of tangible support in various areas of development.

He cited the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, which enables Jamaican participants to utilize their teaching skills to the benefit of students in Japan.
The programme is aimed at improving foreign language education among Japanese youth, while enhancing cultural cooperation between the countries. Thirty Jamaicans left the country in July to participate in JET.

Senator Pearnel Charles Jr. further mentioned assistance to Jamaica through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the form of grant-aid for technical and economic programmes, volunteer missions, scholarships and training courses.

“All of which continue to contribute to Jamaica’s development, including capacity-building,” he noted.

The Foreign Affairs State Minister was speaking at a recent reception held at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in St. Andrew to celebrate the 85th birthday of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Mr. Charles said the relationship between the countries will be further strengthened, “as the training camps for the Jamaica Olympic and Paralympic teams will be based in Tottori in preparation for the 2020 Olympics being hosted by Japan”.

In his remarks, the Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki, acknowledged the good relations between the countries.

He noted the implementation of seven projects under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Initiative, in addition to opportunity for almost 400 Jamaicans to live and teach English in Japan under JET.

“JET alumni are one of the most important cultural bridges in the J-J relationship.” he said.

Ambassador Yamazaki, whose tour of duty began a year ago, said he is enjoying his work in Jamaica.

“I cannot live without Jamaican food; not only jerk chicken and ackee, but especially for me, green plantains, breadfruit, peanuts and festival,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation for the support received from members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, senators, government officials and the diplomatic corps.