NASSAU, The Bahamas –The Government of Japan is moving to ensure that the environment surrounding the Caribbean is protected during transhipment of nuclear waste through the Caribbean Sea.
Mr. Jungi Higashi, a member of the House of Representatives of Japan and spokesman for a Japanese delegation that visited The Bahamas last week, gave the assurance during a courtesy call on the Hon. Fred Mitchell, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen diplomatic relations between both countries, which was established March, 1975.
Also present at the meeting, held at Department of Public Personnel on Thursday, July 27, were The Bahamas Honourary Counsul to Japan Mr. Basil Sands and Ambassador of Japan to The Bahamas His Excellency Hiroshi Sakurai.
The discussions focused on nuclear waste transhipment, attracting more Japanese tourists to The Bahamas, and scholarships for Bahamian students.
Mr. Mitchell voiced the concerns of The Bahamas and the Caribbean over the transshipment of radio active waste through the region, which relies heavily on tourism to sustain its economy.
Mr. Higashi noted that the Japanese Government is building a facility to ensure that the material is “very secure” during shipment.
“We understand The Bahamas depends on tourism. We have paid more than enough attention in this area,” he added.
“We are very delighted and we are amazed at the very beautiful tourism facility, which is very well equipped,” Mr. Higashi said. “But there are not many Japanese tourists here, so when we return to Japan we would like to promote The Bahamas.”
From left: Mr. Basil Sands, Honorary Consul of Japan; Minister Mitchell Mr. Higashi and Ambassador of Japan with residence in Jamaica His Excellency Hiroshi Sakurai. (BIS Photo: Tim Aylen)
Mr Mitchell said there was a time when Japanese flocked to The Bahamas to get married; but that changed, for some reason.
To the proposed exchange agreement between the parliaments of Japan and The Bahamas, Mr. Mitchell said that there is a Foreign Affairs Select Committee headed by Mr. Kenyatta Gibson, MP for Kennedy, and Mr. Brent Symonette, MP for Montagu, who can offer cooperation in this regard.
Japan has also reiterated its wish for The Bahamas to support its bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, which is mainly responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Japan, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, is convinced that permanent and non-permanent categories of the Council must be expanded.
Mr. Mitchell said that The Bahamas was concerned when there appeared to be difference between China and Japan on UN Security reforms.
“We expect Japan to continue to adhere to good order,” he said.
Mr. Higashi said that UN security reform is “a big concern” for Japan and called on The Bahamas to support its position.
He also said that it was a good idea to have Academy Award winner Sir Sidney Poitier as The Bahamas’ non-resident Ambassador to Japan.
Japan also has the largest shipping registry under the Bahamas Maritime Authority. Mr. Mitchell said The Bahamas and United States is to sign an agreement regarding security measures at the Freeport Container Port on Grand Bahama.
Mr Mitchell said he also hoped that Japan repeat its participation in the UN Cultural Day held annually in October.
