Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, says she is confident in Japan’s capacity to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer in a safe, enjoyable and rewarding manner.

“We are assured that your effective management of the pandemic in the weeks leading up to these highly anticipated games will set the tone to welcome athletes from around the world to compete in a novel and extraordinary atmosphere,”

she said.

The Minister noted Japan’s commitment to the Games with the appointment of a new Minister as well as a new President of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“This will truly be a symbol of our ability as a global community to embrace life beyond the coronavirus,”

she said.

The Minister was speaking at a reception held at the St Andrew residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica on Tuesday to celebrate the 61st birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan, who ascended to the throne in May 2019 as the country’s 126th Emperor.