Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, believes that the bridge between Bridgetown and Tokyo has been strengthened as a result of the efforts of Japan’s Ambassador to Barbados, Kayoko Fukushima.
Mr. Symmonds, who was joined by other government officials and members of the diplomatic corps, was speaking at a farewell reception for the outgoing Ambassador, at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa, last Friday.
“We have to thank Ambassador Fukushima for her willingness to be so devoted to duty and so diligent in the discharge of her obligations here that she has really been a bridge between Bridgetown and Tokyo. Your willingness to take on board the challenges that you see here in this country and be a voice for Barbados outside of the country is something that means the world to us….
“I really see this as an opportunity not to say sad farewells, but to celebrate your devotion to duty and to congratulate you for the very spirited and determined way in which you have discharged your tenure…. I am saddened to see you leave, but I know that you have left a legacy of good work and goodwill in the hearts and minds of the people of Barbados. I want to wish you all the best, and secondly, say to you that if ever you think that you want to leave Tokyo or leave Japan and relocate to anywhere else in the world, Barbados will always be your home away from home, and we welcome you,” he stated.
Minister Symmonds also highlighted some of the Japanese Ambassador’s “significant contributions”. These included her role in the efforts to rebuild Barbados’ fishing fleet post-Hurricane Beryl by securing engine supplies from Japan, and the 165 billion Yen Japan has committed to the Green Climate Fund, which has enabled Barbados to “concretise and execute” a debt-for-climate swap initiative “saving Barbados $125 million”, a world’s first for resilient infrastructure.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also noted Japan’s support in education, cultural exchanges, animation technology, and the work of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Ambassador Fukushima reflected on the strong Japan-Barbados relationship while expressing her gratitude for the support and cooperation received, and requested that the support continue for her successor.
“I am happy with the high-level exchanges between Japan and Barbados, which took place during my tenure…. In these eight years since our resident embassy opened, I have witnessed great progress in the broadening and deepening of the bilateral relationship…. It has been a true pleasure, as well as a privilege to meet and work with all of you. Instead of saying goodbye – sayonara, I’d like to say see you again – mata aimashou,” she stated.
The outgoing Ambassador concluded the evening with the playing of two pieces on the keyboard; one, a traditional Japanese song “Hamabe no Uta”, which means “At the shore”, and the other Beautiful Barbados. The songs were meant to capture the beauty of the two islands.
Barbados and Japan established diplomatic relations on August 29, 1967.