The federal government of Japan has donated 5 maritime patrol vessels to Jamaica, reinforcing its ongoing help for the island’s efforts to reduce crime and strengthen nationwide safety.
The vessels have been formally handed over throughout a ceremony on the Jamaica Defence Pressure (JDF) Coast Guard Base in Port Royal, Kingston, on Thursday, April 10. The donation marks the most recent contribution in a longstanding partnership between the 2 nations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jacqueline Inexperienced-Scaffe, representing the Jamaica Constabulary Pressure (JCF), praised Japan’s continued generosity via grants, tools, and diplomatic goodwill. She stated these contributions have enhanced not solely the capability of the safety forces to battle crime but in addition their capacity to assist construct safer communities.
The newly donated vessels, she stated, symbolize a big step ahead. “The supply of inshore patrol vessels is a strong demonstration of what cooperation and mutual respect between nations can obtain,” ACP Inexperienced-Scaffe acknowledged. “These vessels now entrusted to the JCF will considerably strengthen our capacity to safe our maritime area. On this regard, they’ll function one other layer of safety for the individuals of Jamaica, fortifying our shared mission to make sure a secure and safe society.”
She additionally acknowledged Japan’s earlier donation of autos to the JCF, that are already in use. “These autos are enhancing mobility and have made a tangible affect on the bottom,” she famous. “They’ve contributed meaningfully to crime-fighting efforts, helping the police within the strategic deployment of personnel and sources throughout key areas.”
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ACP Inexperienced-Scaffe pressured that safety will not be achieved in isolation, however somewhat “constructed on networks of belief, on cooperation throughout sectors and, sure, on the regular hand of diplomacy.” She added that the partnership between Jamaica and Japan is a transparent instance of how worldwide growth help, aligned with native priorities, can yield actual outcomes that “save lives and safeguard futures.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Nationwide Safety, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, echoed her sentiments. He praised the efforts of the safety forces and emphasised the worth of worldwide help in enhancing Jamaica’s safety infrastructure. “We should put in additional [assets], and we admire the contribution of the Japanese Authorities to strengthen our safety groups. We are going to proceed to work to make sure that we now have a secure nation,” he stated.
Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, additionally addressed the gathering, expressing optimism about Jamaica’s current progress in crime discount. “The homicide price in Jamaica, to this point, this 12 months declined about 35 per cent in comparison with final 12 months, along with the decline of 19 per cent in 2024 and the decline of seven per cent in 2023,” he acknowledged. “I’d prefer to congratulate Minister Chang, Police Commissioner, Dr. [Kevin] Blake and [Chief of Defence Staff], Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman, and all of the JCF and the JDF employees on the very promising information.”
Ambassador Atsumi stated he was happy to know that Japan’s cooperation could have performed an element on this progress, and urged Jamaica to proceed pushing ahead. “I’m pleased to suppose that Japan’s cooperation with Jamaica contributed to the discount in crime and violence,” he added, encouraging additional efforts to make Jamaica one of many most secure locations on this planet.
