Thank you for picking up a copy of our inaugural issue of the Embassy of Japan in TT's newsletter, Sakura News!

Since I took up my posting here in Port of Spain in January 2009, I have endeavoured to regenerate interest in my country, not only in TT, but also in the nine (9) other countries in the Caribbean that fall within the mandate of my mission. Japan and the Caribbean region, although miles apart, share many similarities; we are island nations; we are committed, democratic actors in the international arena; and we are culturally rich and proud. Whereas at the official level, government to government exchange has, and continues to play a significant role in the development of diplomatic relations, people to people dialogue and exchange play an equally important role in sustaining relations be-tween countries, and it is my earnest hope that this publication will cultivate and sustain your interest in Japan. I also hope to provide a better understanding of Japan's role in the Caribbean region, as well as its role in the international arena. Through our quarterly updates, we hope to bring Japan closer to the region. In these pages, you will find news and updates on past and present cultural activities and initiatives, information on economic cooperation projects, other aspects of our work here in the Carib-bean region, as well as a snapshot of what's taking place in Japan. One of the focus areas I would like to highlight, is the introduction and implementation of environ-mental technology in the region. Cleaner and more energy efficient processes for waste disposal, power generation and even water purification and supply, can provide us with the opportunity to deepen our relations here in the Caribbean, through the sharing of this type of technology with our partners here in the region. Another area in which we can explore possible future cooperation, is in the area of national security. Japan enjoys a relatively low rate of crime, and we stand ready to en-gage in talks at the official level, to determine what assistance or advice, if any, can be sought from our security officials. During my time in the region thus far, I have witnessed the burgeoning interest in Japan and Japa-nese culture in the Caribbean. Certain aspects of Japanese culture, such as anime and martial arts, have, and continue to enjoy a considerable level of popularity in this region. Additionally, the iconic images of Japanese automobiles, is something that the people of the Caribbean are very familiar with. These have provided a springboard upon which we can launch a new level of engagement at the grassroots level, which I am certain will be mutually beneficial to us both. I have seen firsthand, an eagerness to learn about my country, and this has indeed been heartwarm-ing. Just as I have been able to learn more about the culture of Trinidad and Tobago and several other Caribbean countries, it is my hope that you can derive a similar appreciation and joy from learning about Japan, as I have from this region. I hope that you enjoy the newsletter. Best regards.

Tatsuaki Iwata Ambassador of Japan

YoKoso!

Inside this issue:

Greetings from

Ambassador

2

Update on Japan 3

Economic

Cooperation

4

Cultural Exchange 6

Greetings from the Ambassador

His Excellency Tatsuaki Iwata

Editors:

Amrita Maharaj Naoki Yoshimura

Sakura News is a quarterly publication which highlights the

diplomatic exchanges between the Embassy of Japan and the ten

(10) Caribbean countries to which it is accredited.

© Embassy of Japan 2010.

Printed in Trinidad and Tobago.

Introducing the Embassy of Japan’s new publication!

2

| Sakura News |

3

This target represents much more than a number, since Japan has already strongly committed to energy conserva-tion over the last three decades and the effort required to meet this new target is more challenging than it appears to be on the surface. Thus far, the result of Japan’s efforts has allowed for the successful doubling the nation’s real GDP without increas-ing the overall energy consumption of the industrial sector over the last thirty years. As a result, the energy effi-ciency of the Japan economy has been very high.

| Sakura News | Update on Japan |

Update on Japan …

Climate Change

On January 26 2010, Japan submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Frame-work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) the information on Japan’s willingness to be associated with the Copenhagen Accord and, pursuant to Paragraph 4 of the Ac-cord, its quantified economy-wide emissions target for 2020.

JAPAN’S EMISSION TARGETS FOR 2020

We recognize that the Copenhagen Accord contains meaningful contents, since, the submission of emissions tar-gets, action plan, and ensuring transparency for its implementation, were prescribed. Additionally, an action plan for both short-term and long-term assistance to developing countries was hammered out. To make this Accord practical, it is important for all countries to express their willingness to be associated with the Copenhagen Accord and submit emissions targets and planned mitigation actions to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Japan’s emission target is described below:

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Human Rights UN Activities on Human Rights The promotion and protection of all human rights is among the main objectives of the United Nations. The United Nations has estab-lished organizations such as the Commission on Human Rights to deal with human rights, drafted various human rights instruments, encouraged states to conclude them, adopted resolutions requesting that states should improve their human rights situations, and organized a number of worldwide conferences. In June 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights adopted the Vienna Declara-tion and Programme of Action, which has had a large impact on activities in the field of human rights. The post of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was created in 1993, and Mary Robinson, a former President of Ireland, was appointed as the second High Commissioner in June 1997. She has been active in coordinating relevant UN activities and international cooperation since she assumed office. Japan firmly supports the High Commissioner's activities, including human rights field operations, advisory services, and technical assistance.

Japanese Cooperation Japan actively participated in the UN Commission on Human Rights as a member since 1982. Japan has increased its contribution to the Voluntary Fund for Advisory Services and Technical Assistance, considering cooperation in legal systems building and awareness-raising in human rights as important to improve human rights situations. Japanese experts have also contributed to these activities, as members of the sub-commission and committee in the human rights field. Japan has also concluded a number of human rights instruments.

Japan's Financial Contributions to the UN Funds on Human Rights Japan's annual contribution to the UN Funds on human rights totaled about US$ 1 million. In addition, Japan has contributed US$ 700,000 and US$ 111,000 to the Human Rights Field Operations in Rwanda (HRFOR) and in the former Yugoslavia, respectively. Guided by the belief that human rights are universal, Japan has expressed its concern for human rights violations, calling on countries of concern to improve their human rights situations. Japan pays full attention to the human rights situations and efforts for promoting democratization as proclaimed in the ODA Charter. When any improvement in human rights situations or any trace of democratization is recognized, Japan helps these changes through aid. On the contrary, when the situation is clearly accusable, Japan reviews its ODA projects to the country concerned.

What is ODA? A variety of organizations and groups, including governments as well as international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private companies, carry out economic cooperation to support socioeconomic development in recipient countries. The funds and technology that governments provide to recipient countries are called Official Development Assistance (ODA). Japan’s ODA Outlook Japan was once an aid recipient country from international community during the difficult years. It has been more than 40 years since Japan started its economic co-operation to developing countries by joining Colombo Plan in 1954. Now, Japan has become the largest donor country in the world and is providing its ODA to more than 150 developing countries and regions. Japan’s ODA is classified into three (3) types: (i) bilateral grants, (ii) bilateral loans and (iii) financial subscriptions and contributions to international organization (multilateral aid). Bilateral grants are basic economic cooperation programs of Ja-pan’s ODA applied in the 10 Caribbean countries the Embassy covers. The follow-ings are outlines of those bilateral grants*. *The type of the programs of bilateral grants differs from each country based on GNI/per capita.

Japan’s ODA

| Sakura News | Economic Cooperation |

General Grant Aid This provides funds for projects in areas such as basic human needs (agriculture, medical and health care, public welfare and the environment), human resource development (education, research, training), and basic economic infrastructure (including regional roads).

Grant Aid for Fisheries This provides funds for projects related to the development and utilization of fisheries resources.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects This supports projects proposed by such bodies as NGOs, Schools, Hospitals and local government authorities.

Technical Cooperation This involves the dispatching of experts from Japan to provide technical support, the invitation of personnel from developing countries for training, or the provision of necessary equipment.

Acceptance of Technical Training Participants This provides personnel with training related to global issues, such as the environment; and basic development fields such as administration, public works, agriculture, fisheries, education, health and medical care, and industry.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers/ Senior Volunteers This assists and promotes the overseas activities of young/middle aged people who wish to cooperate in the economic and social development.

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OUTLINE OF JAPAN’S ODA

Country Project Title Completed Year

Grant (US$)

Guyana The Project for Water Supply in Corriverton －Phase 1－ 2008 Approx. 6.5million

Country Project Title Completed Year

Grant (US$)

St. Lucia The Project for the Improvement of Fishery Infrastructure in Anse La Raye

2010 Approx. 5.5million

Country Project Title

Period Grant (US$)

Grenada The Project for Construction of New Home Economic Center 2008－2010 88,495

Trinidad and Tobago

The Project for Nature Seekers Visitor Facility and Training Center 2008－2010 62,146

Country Project Title

Period

Antigua Dispatch of an expert in the field of processing food and distribution 2010－2012

Barbados The Project for Caribbean Disaster Management －Phase1－ 2002－2006

Country Training Course Period

St. Kitts and Nevis Training for the Industrial Technology Education 4 June－18 July 2009

Suriname Fire Fighting Techniques 6 July－24 October 2009

Country Volunteers’ Specialty Period

Dominica Nursing of Disabled People 2010－2012

St. Vincent Rural Community Development 2008－2010

| Sakura News | Economic Cooperation |

The following outlines a part of Japan’s ODA Projects:

Building diplomatic relations through culture

Within the population of Trinidad and Tobago lies a vast body of Japanese

Culture enthusiasts. Since the Embassy’s inception, the Public Relations

and Cultural Department has sought to promote Japanese culture on both

a national and regional scale by introducing several interactive activities for

all to enjoy. To date, the Embassy has achieved significant headway in

promoting Japanese culture and traditions. Some of the activities include:

᠅ Koto Music Presentation entitled “East Meets West: An Evening of Tradi-

tional Japanese Koto Music.” This was a partnership between the Ministry

of Community Development, Culture, Local Government and Cooperatives

of St. Lucia which was held in Castries in 1999

᠅ Kotaro (Traditional Japanese Taiko Drumming) Recital in 2004 in Barba-

dos

᠅ Origami (paper folding) Masters’ Workshop in 2006 with Satoshi Kamiya

and Masashi Tanaka at the Holy Name Prepatory School in Trinidad, work-

shops with the Youth Outreach Programme (2008), Penal Debe Regional

Corporation (2010) and demonstrations with Primary and Secondary

Schools

᠅ Kobudo (Classical Japanese Martial Arts) Demonstration held in Barba-

dos in 2007

᠅ Judo Workshop at the Holy Name Convent School, Trinidad in 2007

᠅ Ikebana workshop with Master Nobue Miyauchi in Trinidad in 2008

᠅ Culinary and Cultural Experience of Japan in Trinidad in 2008

᠅ Partnering with both the UWI Centre for Language Learning in hosting the

Japanese Cultural Day Celebrations in 2009, and the EMA in hosting Fu-

roshiki demonstrations

As of 2010, the Embassy has embarked on new Cultural activities, placing

more emphasis on both Primary and Secondary schools. These initiatives

include:

᠅ The “Konnichiwa–Welcome to Japan” School Visit Programme, which was

started in January in Trinidad. This programme introduces various aspects

of Japanese culture to students such as Origami, Japanese cuisine, Tradi-

tional wear, games and much more. This has been approved by the Minis-

try of Education.

᠅ Hosting of a Cultural Display at the National Library (Adult Library) NALIS

in May. A Japanese Language and Cultural Club was also launched.

In addition to these activities, the Embassy also has in its possession a

collection of Japan video topics, books, CDs, traditional clothing, toys and

other cultural items which are frequently loaned to members of the public

upon request. The Embassy also distributes magazines and quarterly publi-

cations to its counterparts of the accredited countries.

Cultural

Exchange

Origami with YMCA, 2007

Konnichiwa-School Visit Programme, 2010

Ikebana Demonstration, 2008

Furoshiki Demonstration, 2010

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| Sakura News | Cultural Exchange |

The MEXT Scholarship

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and

Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers the Monbukagakusho

Scholarship for persons interested in pursuing Undergradu-

ate or Graduate studies. Since 1995, the Embassy has se-

lected nineteen (19) scholarship recipients from the accred-

ited countries to pursue their tertiary studies in Japan.

Applicants can choose from a variety of academic fields in-

cluding Law, Literature, Business Administration, Medical

Sciences, and several fields of Engineering including Metal-

lurgical, Maritime, Electrical Studies and many more. Suc-

cessful candidates are selected based on academic merit

and their intentions to use their knowledge to promote na-

tional development in their respective countries.

Opportunities to study and work in Japan

Fushion Culture

Join the Japanese Language and Cultural Club today at the National Library!

The Embassy of Japan launched this club at a Japanese Cultural Display at the Adult Library Division of the National Library from May 3rd-15th of this year. Mr. Kiyoshi Takeuchi, Deputy Head of Mission, presented Ms. Annette Wallace, Director of NALIS with a collection of Japanese books. Join the club and learn Japanese, partake in Origami and Manga demonstrations, and explore the art of Kendo. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Friday of each month on the First Floor. For further information, contact the Embassy at 628-5991 or NALIS at 624-4466.

Above: Mr. Takeuchi presents books to NALIS director Ms. Annette Wallace.

| Sakura News | Cultural Exchange |

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme,

now in its 23rd year, is aimed at promoting grass-roots

international exchange between Japan and other nations.

The number of countries sending participants has risen

over the years, as has the number of participants. In 2009,

the Programme has welcomed 4,436 participants from 36

countries.

For further information on these programmes, visit our

website at www.tt.emb-japan.go.jp and learn about these

exciting opportunities.

The Japanese Exchange and

Teaching (JET) Programme

7

The blending of Japanese culture with Caribbean culture is

becoming more prominent today. This year, the Jeunes

Agape Folk Choir group of Trinidad performed a folk song

entitled “Sakura” at the Trinidad and Tobago Annual Music

Festival. They fused the rhythmic beats of the Doumbeck

drumming with the Japanese lyrics of Sakura to create a

melodious and vibrant performance, earning first place in the

Folk Choir Category.

Omedetou Gozaimasu (Congratulations)!

Left:

Zucchini

Fish Net

Right:

Cucum-

ber

Tel:(1-868) 628-5991

Fax:(1-868) 622-0858

Email:

embassyofjapan@tstt.net.tt

Embassy of Japan

Republic of Trinidad and

Tobago

Visit webjapan.org for more exciting culinary

ideas!

Visit our website at www.tt.emb-japan.go.jp to learn more

about our mission!

Decorative Food

Carvings Eggplant Fishtrap– Instructions

1.Trim both ends

of the eggplant

2. Hollow out the cen-

ter with an apple corer.

3. Remove the core

carefully.

4. Make vents on the

sides of the eggplant

and cook.

VISIT THESE JAPAN RELATED WEBSITES AND

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT JAPAN!

http://web-japan.org/region/index.html

http://web-japan.org/region/index.html

http://web-japan.org/region/index.html

http://web-japan.org/region/index.html

http://web-japan.org/links/

http://web-japan.org/region/index.html

http://web-japan.org/

http://web-japan.org/region/index.html