The Honourable Sean Sobers, M.P., Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, welcomed His Excellency Dr. Akima Umezawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, for an introductory courtesy call at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs on 4th June, 2025. The discussion highlighted the ongoing collaboration between both nations in key areas, including trade, technical cooperation, cultural engagement, and people-to-people exchanges.
Trinidad and Tobago’s engagement with Japan is strengthened through CARICOM-Japan relations, which have evolved significantly since the first political consultation in 1993. The recent Eighth CARICOM-Japan Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo reinforced shared priorities, including disaster risk reduction, climate change, and multilateral cooperation. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging the Japan-CARICOM Friendship and Cooperation Fund to support sustainable development initiatives in the region.
Cultural and educational exchanges continue to flourish through programmes such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and the MEXT (or Monbu-Kagaku-Shō) Scholarship Programme, which enable Trinidad and Tobago nationals to study and work in Japan. Additionally, ongoing cultural cooperation has brought events such as Japanese film screenings, dance workshops, and the Annual Japanese Speech Contest to the local audience. Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will further promote national culture, with 11th August, 2025, designated as the country’s National Day at the Expo.
Discussions also centred on trade and technical cooperation, particularly Japan’s support in waste management, COVID-19 assistance, and climate resilience. Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from training programmes in sustainable recycling, while Japan’s grant-funded initiative to mitigate Sargassum seaweed will provide essential equipment and technical expertise. Japan’s funding for the “Strengthening Digital Inclusion among Vulnerable Groups in Trinidad and Tobago” initiative was also noted, aiming to improve technological access for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), rural communities, and the elderly.
The courtesy call reinforced the commitment of Trinidad and Tobago and Japan to deepening bilateral ties and fostering long-term collaboration. The Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs looks forward to continued engagements that strengthen diplomatic relations, cultural appreciation, and sustainable development for mutual benefit.
