KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr has expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s contribution to Jamaica’s climate change resilience programme with a $1.6-billion grant to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

The grant, according to a release from the minister, will go towards the procurement of equipment aimed at bolstering the island’s emergency communication systems, before, during and after a disaster.

Charles also expressed appreciation to Japan for its continued grant assistance in other technical and economic programmes, volunteer missions, scholarships and training courses through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This State minister’s remarks came during a courtesy call from Ambassador of Japan H E Hiromasa Yamazaki, at the ministry’s New Kingston offices last Friday.

Yamazaki affirmed that Japan places much emphasis on its relationship with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Jamaica’s important role in the regional bloc.

Underscoring that “Jamaica and its rich culture have much to offer,” Charles Jr expressed confidence that there will be many bilateral meetings to come, as Jamaica and Japan deepen the collaboration in areas such trade, particularly in its niche coffee market and climate change resilience.

Jamaica and Japan are in their 54th year of diplomatic relations.