Greetings from new Ambassador MIYASAKA Yusuke
Happy New Year. I sincerely wish that this year brings prosperity and joy to all of you.
My name is MIYASAKA Yusuke, and I have just arrived in Barbados as the Ambassador of Japan to Barbados.
Last year, our Embassy was able to deepen the friendly relations between Japan and Barbados through various cultural initiatives, as part of the "Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024". In February, we hosted a "Calendar Exhibition," and in March, we held an animation lecture by Professor TAKAHASHI Mitsuteru of Digital Hollywood University. Additionally, through the “Read Japan Project”, we donated books, providing opportunities to foster greater interest in Japanese literature and culture. Furthermore, we organized a performance of Japanese traditional dance ‘Jiutamai’ in April and a Japanese ramen cooking event with Nanyo City in September, to deepen the bonds between our people. In October, we held the first-ever Japanese film festival and Japanese festival “Matsuri” in Barbados, and in November, we held an international panel discussion led by Japanese judo athletes and Japanese language learning workshops led by a Japanese language education expert, to promote exchanges across diverse fields.
Moreover, many young people have applied for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Government Scholarship Programme and the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and successful applicants traveled to Japan to study and work through these initiatives. Last December, the Japan-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting was held in Tokyo with Barbados' Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, attending. During this meeting, “The Project for Industrial Development and Technology Transfer in the Member States of the Caribbean Community”, a Japan-funded grant aid agreement in partnership with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) was signed, and a Japan-CARICOM Joint Ministerial Statement was issued. It was a remarkable year, with the three pillars of Japan’s CARICOM policy being reaffirmed.
As Barbados continues its strong recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl in July, Japan has continued to partner with the Government of Barbados, to support these efforts. In August, a Regional Policy Advisor for Disaster Risk Reduction from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was appointed to the Caribbean Emergency Disaster Management Agency (CDEMA). Additionally, the "Project for Renovating a Homeless and Emergency Shelter" is scheduled to be finalized soon through Japan’s “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP)". This year, we will continue to build upon these efforts, strengthening the bonds of cooperation and friendship between our two countries.
Finally, about myself, since joining the Ministry of Construction in 1990, I have worked primarily at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Cabinet Office. During my career, I have been involved in various initiatives, including the overseas expansion of Japan’s high-quality infrastructure and disaster prevention efforts. I intend to make full use of these experiences in my work here, and I would greatly appreciate your support and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Embassy via telephone or email.
January 2025
MIYASAKA Yusuke
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Barbados
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After joining the Ministry of Construction in 1990, Ambassador MIYASAKA has worked at the National Land Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Embassy of Japan in France and the Cabinet Office. His areas of expertise include roads, land policy, disaster prevention, real estate, the construction industry and the overseas expansion of infrastructure. From 2022 to 2023, he served as the Deputy Director General at Cabinet Office and Cabinet Secretariat. From 2023 to 2024, he worked as the Director General for Real Estate Surrounding Important Facilities and on Remote Territorial Islands at Cabinet Office. He assumed his current position from 2024.