Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > October, 2005

Japan-Saint Christopher and Nevis Summit Meeting Tuesday, October 18, 2005 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Dr. Denzil Douglas, the Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed Japan-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) cooperation, the whaling issue, and the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council among other matters. On Japan-CARICOM cooperation, Prime Minister Koizumi said that Japan attaches significance to its friendly and cooperative relations with the CARICOM countries, and that he hopes the Second CARICOM-Japan Ministerial-Level Meeting will be convened at an early date. In response, Prime Minister Douglas said that he will make efforts towards the early realization of the meeting. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi thanked Saint Christopher and Nevis for supporting Japan's position on the whaling issue, and said that at the Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to be held in Saint Christopher and Nevis in June of next year, he anticipates cooperation between Japan and Saint Christopher and Nevis from the standpoint of the sustainable use of living marine resources. To this, Prime Minister Douglas said that Saint Christopher and Nevis and other Caribbean countries firmly support Japan's position on the sustainable use of marine resources, including whales, and that his country would like to offer its cooperation through next year's IWC Annual Meeting. Lastly, on UN Security Council reform, Prime Minister Douglas conveyed the message from the Caribbean countries that they concurrently support Japan's position on this issue. Prime Minister Douglas also stated that he still hopes Japan will become a permanent member of the Security Council.