名誉会長代行挨拶

日本ジャマイカ友好協会名誉会長代行のご挨拶

Ohayō gozaimasu

I am very delighted to deliver warm greetings to you, albeit virtually, as the Japan-Jamaica Friendship Association convenes for its milestone fifth Annual General Meeting.

This occasion is particularly meaningful to me, as it marks my first opportunity to address the Association since my arrival in Tokyo last October.

Your presence here today is a testament to your dedication to maintaining the enduring ties of friendship between our countries and the bonds between our peoples, and, dare I say, the wonderful memories that you share of Jamaica and Jamaicans.

I must therefore extend my heartiest gratitude to the JJFA Steering Committee, ably led by Ambassador Nakano, and to you, the members of the JJFA, for your strong commitment to continued enhancement of the enduring J-J partnership.

As I am sure you will all agree, Jamaica and Japan have developed and nurtured a longstanding and fruitful relationship built on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to prosperity that leaves no one behind. In the international sphere, we share values such as commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and rules based international order.

Indeed, despite the geographical distance, our countries have enjoyed a close and genuine partnership since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964, which has been sustained by political engagement, trade, practical cooperation in several areas, cultural exchanges and, importantly, it has been underpinned by people-to-people interactions. This is what you foster.

In speaking about the J-J Partnership, I must recognise the integral role that each of you has played in giving of your time and talents to both countries. In each of you Jamaica has been privileged to have partner active diplomatic representatives who have worked tirelessly to maintain our dynamic relationship.

Since your establishment five years ago, you have continued to enhance the Jamaica-Japan Partnership through several important events and initiatives.

These included:

• Media opportunities to promote the Association and the J-J Partnership.
• Fostering education linkages.
• Music and cultural exchanges, including the successful event at the annual JamFest at Yoyogi Park.

Your participation and collaboration have been invaluable in these events, and the Embassy looks forward to your continued partnership.

Looking ahead, I am confident that there remains immense scope for even deeper cooperation, whether through educational exchanges, cultural and artistic collaboration, tourism promotion, youth engagement, business partnerships, or people-to-people initiatives.

The opportunities to strengthen the Jamaica-Japan partnership are both diverse and promising.

The Embassy remains committed to working alongside the JJFA as we continue to build bridges of understanding and create new avenues for cooperation and friendship.

Allow me, therefore, to once again express my sincere appreciation to Chairman Nakano, the Steering Committee and every member of the Japan-Jamaica Friendship Association for your unwavering dedication and support.

I wish you a productive and successful Annual General Meeting

Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.

Keisha Kal WITTER (Ms)
Chargée d’Affaires a.i.
Embassy of Jamaica