Japan keen on strengthening ties with Jamaica
Published:Tuesday | October 18, 2022 | 12:12 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
TOKYO, Japan:
Chitaru Shimizu, director of Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean Division at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says expanding relations with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is paramount and Jamaica, its oldest partner in the region, fits well in future plans.
The Japanese diplomat was speaking Monday at the office of the Japan Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, during an interview with the Association for Promotion of International Corporation’s (APICs) journalism fellowship 2022 cohort. The journalists from the Caribbean and Pacific Islands are currently in Japan for a two-week fellowship.
Shimizu outlined already instituted plans with Jamaica relating to economic frameworks with the 2020 tax treaty and 15 Japanese companies based in Jamaica. With this tax convention, while eliminating double taxation and preventing international tax evasion and tax avoidance, it promotes further mutual investments and economic exchanges between the two countries.
Shimizu says Japan is looking to increase the number of companies from the country operating in Jamaica.
He said that he has spoken to investors who are willing to invest in Jamaica and would have already done so had it not been for the interruption caused by COVID-19.
All is not lost, he said, noting the very strong commitment from the Jamaican Government.
“This year is the 60th anniversary of Independence for Jamaica, and in two years, 2024, will be the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship with Japan and Jamaica. Also, the 30th anniversary of the Japan-CARICOM consultation, and we will celebrate Japan-CARICOM here in 2024. This is a kind of step that we want to strengthen our ties with CARICOM country,” Shimizu told The Gleaner, adding that efforts are under way to further deepen relations between the Jamaica and his country.
To this end, he said both the Japan Embassy in Kingston and the Jamaican Embassy in Toyko are actively working with the respective governments.
Shimizu noted the recent visit of Agriculture Minister Pearnel Charles Jr and a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to Japan, who, during a seven-day trip last week, sought to broaden relations in technical cooperation, knowledge transfer, expansion of trade and investments, and building capacity across industries, especially in the areas of coffee and Japan fisheries research and education agency.
Kota Sakaguchi, director of Central America and the Caribbean division at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), told The Gleaner during a separate meeting Monday that Japan will dispatch Yoshiki Hino, an expert in handling marine plastic activities, to the island from November 20 to 29.
Hino, who is from a highly recognised firm in the field, will meet with fisherfolk across Jamaica.
Shimizu also pointed to Japan’s efforts to help Jamaica and other CARICOM countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For us, Jamaica is a very important country,” Shimizu said, also pointing to its energy management and efficiency programme in Jamaica and the recent donation of maritime vessels to bolster the island’s maritime security.