Season’s Greetings from Ambassador MIYASAKA Yusuke
Happy New Year.
I sincerely hope that the coming year will be a prosperous and fulfilling one for all of you.
As we begin a new year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the many developments and initiatives that defined 2025.
Following the designation of 2024 as the “Japan–CARICOM Exchange Year,” the past year was marked by a series of high-level visits and meaningful engagements. It was also a year in which the friendly relations between Japan and Barbados were further strengthened, particularly in the areas of development cooperation and cultural exchange.
In July, Ms. Arfiya ERI, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid an official visit to Barbados, where she held productive discussions with the Honourable Kirk Humphrey, Minister of People Empowerment and Elderly Affairs, and the Honourable Sandra Husbands, Minister of Training and Tertiary Education. During these meetings, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating on shared social challenges, including aging populations, as well as emerging issues facing the international community. Furthermore, in September, the Barbados National Day Event was held at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and was attended by the Honourable Kay McConney, Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment. The Barbados Pavilion welcomed more than 800,000 visitors, providing an opportunity for them to experience and deepen their understanding of Barbados’ rich culture and attractions.
In the area of development cooperation, “The Project for the Renovation of a Homeless and Emergency Shelter” funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects was implemented. Additionally, “The Project for Upgrading the Autism Resource Centre and Inclusive Emergency Shelter” is scheduled to commence shortly. Moreover, as part of recovery assistance following the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, several Japan-funded projects have been launched. These include the Inter-American Development Bank Japan Trust Fund project, “Japan Special Fund Climate Resilient and Sustainable Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project Implementation Support,” as well as the FY2024 Supplementary Budget initiative, the “UNDP-Collaborative The Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience project”. These initiatives adopt a comprehensive approach, encompassing not only physical reconstruction but also capacity-building and technical cooperation. In this regard, Japan is sharing its experience and expertise as a country frequently affected by natural disasters, including through the introduction of disaster-resilient fishing vessels developed by Japanese companies.
Furthermore, in September of last year, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on water disaster prevention and water resources management was signed between the Government of Japan and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). Caribbean countries, which are frequently affected by hurricanes and other water-related disasters, also face challenges related to water scarcity, making the efficient management and utilization of water resources an important regional priority. Looking ahead, our Embassy will continue to provide support that contributes to the sustainable development of the Caribbean region, drawing upon Japan’s advanced technologies, expertise, and experience in the fields of water management and disaster risk reduction.
In the field of cultural exchange, a number of meaningful initiatives were undertaken throughout the year. In March, the Emperor’s Birthday Reception was hosted for the first time at my residence, where guests enjoyed authentic Japanese cuisine prepared by a Japanese chef, accompanied by Japanese sake and whisky. In April, Japanese-language publications were donated to the Barbados Community College (BCC) through the “Read Japan Project,” contributing to the promotion of Japanese studies and mutual understanding. Additionally, in November, the second Japan Festival was held, featuring demonstrations by the Barbados Shotokan Karate Club and the Okinawa Prefecture Cultural Exchange Delegation, showcasing Okinawan karate. In addition, a tasting reception highlighting Okinawan cuisine, renowned for its association with longevity, was organized in collaboration with the Okinawan delegation. These events provided many Barbadians with valuable opportunities to experience and deepen their appreciation of Japanese culture. It is hoped that these exchanges will serve as a catalyst for further strengthening ties between Okinawa Prefecture and Barbados, which share many similarities.
Additionally, many young people applied last year to participate in exchange programs such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. Participants in the JET Programme teach language and promote international understanding in schools across Japan, while also enriching local communities by sharing diverse values and cultural perspectives. These activities help expand the global outlook of Japanese youth and play a key role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. We hope that the young people who have returned to Barbados will use the knowledge and experiences they gained in Japan to excel in their chosen fields. Furthermore, having acquired a deep understanding of Japan, we sincerely hope that they will continue to serve as bridges between Japan and Barbados. In this regard, the establishment of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association (JETAA) last June represents an important new initiative.
Moreover, 2025 saw several significant developments, including the launch of a Japanese language course at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, following the success of the Japanese language program introduced at the Barbados Community College (BCC) in 2024. This additional language learning opportunity will further strengthen people-to-people exchanges and deepen mutual understanding between our two countries.
Finally, the past year marked a significant milestone for our Embassy. Notably, the expansion of our jurisdiction to include Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Commonwealth of Dominica brought substantial changes to both the scale and scope of our operations.
In the coming year, we will continue to make steady progress on our ongoing initiatives, while also focusing on further strengthening bilateral relations across a wide range of areas, including efforts to encourage greater engagement and presence by Japanese companies.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
January 2026
Yusuke Miyasaka
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Barbados