Excerpt from The Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, July 11, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
Shinzo Abe
The world was shaken by news of the tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Having been the longest-serving prime minister of Japan, he was the face of the country, engaging fellow world leaders and promoting global unity.
In its tribute the Caribbean Community (Caricom) described Abe as “a man who made great efforts to reshape his country and its place in the world”.
They noted, “Mr Abe is well remembered in our community as in 2014 he became the first prime minister of Japan to visit the region and meet with our Heads of Government, taking to a new level the political engagement between Caricom and Japan.”
“It was during that visit that the prime minister signalled Japan’s support in recognising the vulnerability of small island and low-lying coastal developing states (SIDS) … during the summit in Port of Spain [he] reset Caricom-Japan relations by outlining his country’s three-pillar policy towards the community. These are co-operation towards sustainable development, including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to small island states; deepening and expanding bonds founded on exchanges and friendship; and co-operation in addressing challenges in the international community.”
At Friday’s sitting of the Senate, government and Opposition representatives paid tribute to Abe’s distinguished journey. President of the Senate Tom Tavares Finson described him as a friend of Jamaica who touched the lives of Jamaican leaders. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said, “Japan has been a true friend to Jamaica and, indeed, Prime Minister Abe was. Japan is one of our largest bilateral grant-funding donors. It is a matter of significant appreciation and demonstration of friendship that goes beyond sports and music into these substantive economic areas of support… Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will rest strong in our memories.”
Opposition Senator Dr Floyd Morris noted, “We have established diplomatic relations with Japan from 1964 and they have been extremely good friends of Jamaica… His work and the work of his country has impacted Jamaica, and we, on this side of the Opposition, want to extend our profound regret and sadness at his passing.”
They recalled that Jamaica welcomed Abe on a State visit in September 2015, and his respect for our country heralded his people’s embrace of our culture and significant investment through the Marubeni Group of Companies and the Ueshima Coffee Company.
We extend deep sympathy to the people of Japan as they grieve his passing. May his great soul rest in peace.
Jamaica Highlights 