Tokyo meets the world: Jamaica

I actually first came to Japan in 2005, as a participant in the United Nations Disarmament Fellowship Programme. I’ve always admired the country’s cohesiveness and resilience, and above all, the Japanese people’s culture of excellence – the pride Japan takes in working with consistency and dedication.

I also pay attention to the role of Japanese women in society. I believe that they will play a greater role in the future. They are highly educated and flexible – a real asset for Japan. I would like to encourage Japanese women to step up and be more ambitious within their own workplaces and society at large. In both the public and private sectors, Jamaica has more women than men in managerial positions, although there still is a gender pay gap. On the dark side of things, both Jamaica and Japan still have issues with domestic violence.

The relationship between Jamaica and Japan is growing. For example, the Japanese trading house Marubeni Corporation has been helping Jamaica achieve its energy goals, in terms of the electricity network as well as other renewable and energy-efficient options. We value our partnership with Japan because there’s always an emphasis on long-term development.

My expectations have been matched and reinforced. Yet, to be totally honest, I hadn’t expected the fax machine to still be alive in this futuristic world! [laughs] I’m joking, but actually it tells a story of the duality of Japan, which is a society at the forefront of technology, but at the same time is sticking with its traditions. Furthermore, I’m really impressed by the legendary quality of service in Japan, embodied by the institutionalised politeness and hospitality.

I’ve just watched the terrific Japanese movie Drive My Car, nominated at the Academy Awards this year, and within the various tragedies the characters experience, there’s always a point when they stoically say ‘daijobu desu’ (it’s OK). After almost 18 months in Tokyo, I’ve learned that too – I can manage tough situations saying ‘daijobu desu’.

I am very happy in Tokyo, and my predecessor thoroughly enjoyed his tenure here too. Putting aside the work factor, as a city, I think even if you gave me London or New York, I’d prefer to live in Tokyo, which is quite cosmopolitan. I feel safe and everything is convenient. The services are exceptional. It takes the stress out of your daily life.

[Tokyo] is such a huge city that I won’t be able to discover all its charms before the end of my term, especially with the current ‘stay at home’ policy. Therefore, except for business trips, I am almost exclusively discovering Tokyo by walking through my neighbourhood of Azabu-Juban and Hiroo, which is very cosmopolitan. I love Arisugawa Park for a weekend walk, finishing up with shopping for fruits and vegetables at National Azabu supermarket.

But my favourite area in Tokyo is Nakameguro. The lovely river…all those little cafés and stores that aren’t chains but privately owned and curated with so much sensibility. Looking up interior and antique shops is one of my hobbies. The other one’s probably flowers: I love flower shops and Tokyo has many fancy ones. In Nakameguro I recommend Flowers Nest because it carries many tropical plants and flowers that remind me of my country.

Outside of Tokyo I’ve been to Izu for a hot spring weekend, and to see the Indian summer in the mountains of Nagano. I really want to visit the Tottori sand dunes, as Tottori is sister city with Jamaica’s Westmoreland Parish.

Currently there’s no established Jamaican restaurant in Tokyo, but some of our compatriots and Japanese citizens who have returned from Jamaica provide catering online, and there’s a Japanese chef who makes Jamaican dishes. Then of course there’s the Japanese coffee brand UCC (Ueshima Coffee Company), which has had an estate in [Jamaica’s] Blue Mountains since the last century. Their coffee lounge and academy near their Onarimon headquarters serves Blue Mountain coffee.

Outside of Tokyo, the city of Yaizu in Shizuoka prefecture has a fabulous Blue Mountain coffee and craft chocolate café that’s run by a Jamaican-Japanese couple.

Japan plays a tremendously important role in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open. Japan ensures that the universal values of democracy, rule of law, freedom of navigation, peace and stability are well defended. Japan is always a very constructive global player and a proactive contributor to international peace, security and development.

As a small island in the Caribbean, we look at Japan as an example. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has used its expertise to support more than 150 developing countries. The pandemic has taught us that, now more than ever, prioritising people, health, education and sustainability is key for our planet, and Japan has been embracing just that. Yet, I believe Japan can do even more so that developing countries can gain access to green technologies.

As a country that relies heavily on our natural resources, Jamaica places high priority on improving sustainability and tackling environmental issues. Our commitment to these important issues can be seen in our ongoing work to align our National Development Plan – Vision 2030 Jamaica – with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. So far, we’ve achieved 95% alignment. The benefit of this strategy is that we get to meet the SDGs all while working towards the various development targets that we have set at the national level.

High on our agenda are issues such as climate change adaptation, ocean governance and tapping into the blue economy, and building resilience to natural disasters and economic shocks, as well as renewable energy, which I mentioned. Jamaica has set out to generate 33 percent of its electricity using renewable sources by 2030. By 2050, we want to increase this target to 50 percent. We are currently in dialogue with [the aforementioned] Marubeni to try to develop that sector further.

We have been cooperating with several bilateral partners on a number of sustainability and environmental initiatives and projects, especially with Japan. The issues that we face are global in scope and so working with other countries allows us to share knowledge, technologies and best practices. Another important factor in our development efforts is financing. Jamaica continues to be an advocate among small states on matters of financing for development.

Well, I’m here to enhance the Japan-Jamaica partnership, and while we are already doing a lot in terms of culture, education and development cooperation, we can still do much better on the economic front. Our prime minister visited Japan in 2019 and met former prime minister Abe. The PMs looked at scaling up our economic cooperation, and we welcome more investments from Japanese companies in Jamaica. Japan could lead the way in investing in the Caribbean.

In bilateral terms, Jamaica is feeding Japan with many English teachers, and we are ready to send more. Foreign language ability is a skill Japan needs to develop for its future generations. Last but not least, we are ready to welcome Japanese tourists back to Jamaica as soon as possible. By the way, Tijana Kawashima-Stojkovic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics volunteer who helped our sprinter Hansle Parchment win gold by helping him take a taxi at the last minute to make it on time for the competition, will be welcomed in Jamaica as soon as the pandemic allows, and treated as an official guest of our country! Interview by Florent Dabadie

For more Jamaican flavours in Tokyo, check out the businesses below – all recommended by Ambassador Richards:

Sweet Jamaican Things: Delicious Jamaican sweets for those with a sweet tooth.

Yumm Cupcakery

Patty Pan: Online store for Jamaican patties, delivers throughout Japan.

Dean Jackson: Assortment of Jamaican products.