Last evening, Barbados joined the Embassy of Japan at a reception to celebrate the 63rd birthday of Emperor Naruhito, who acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Business, Sandra Husbands, while delivering remarks, offered sincere congratulations to Emperor Naruhito on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, and wished him all the best.
Minister Husbands stated: “The Emperor has come to personify the very best characteristics of the people of Japan; mutual respect, the pursuit of common ground and advocating for peace.
“These same characteristics underpin the bilateral relationship between Barbados and Japan, two countries which are undoubtedly bound together by friendship and cooperation, centred on the mutual development of our countries to create better lives for our people.”
She also highlighted that over the 56 years of established formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Japanese Government has not only been a friend to Barbados but has been a key bilateral development partner, assisting Barbados in areas such as education, renewable energy, climate change, ICT, sports, arts and disaster management.
“I am certain that we will continue to find avenues for cooperation which serve to strengthen our bilateral relations and benefit both countries,” Minister Husbands said.
Ambassador of Japan to Barbados, Kayako Fukushima, noted that at the beginning of the year, Emperor Naruhito had made a call for the international community to continue dialogue and cooperate with each other in a way that transcends differences, and expressed the hope that this would be a year where Japanese persons and people across the world would be able to progress with high hopes for the future.
Ambassador Fukushima stated that since taking up her post in April last year, she has had the privilege to interact with government officials, the local business community, academic leaders and members of the diplomatic community.
“The Government of Japan is conscious of the triple threat of COVID-19, climate change and rising prices that Barbados is facing, but I am confident in the country’s ability to overcome these challenges under the leadership of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley,” Ms. Fukushima said.
The reception was also attended by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; members of the diplomatic corps; permanent secretaries and other senior public officers, and representatives of regional and international organisations.