Wednesday, Japan’s Ambassador to Grenada, Dr. Akima Umezawa, announced the appointment during a ceremony.

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – After 50 years of diplomatic relations, the Government of Japan has appointed Dr Nicole Phillip, Acting Director of the University of the West Indies Global Campus here, as the first Honorary Consul of Japan in Grenada.

Ambassador Umezawa presents Dr. Nicole Phillip with the Letters of Appointment of the Honorary Consul of Japan in Grenada.

On Wednesday, Japan’s Ambassador to Grenada, Dr. Akima Umezawa, announced the appointment during a ceremony and stated that it will significantly deepen the half-century of friendship between the two countries.

He referred to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a “golden jubilee,” showcasing the significant progress in cooperation and support across diverse fields including Grenada’s vibrant carnival parade at Expo 2025 Osaka; Japan’s provision of special vessels for sargassum countermeasures; support for the expansion of vocational training centers; and the promotion of exchanges through media tours to Japan’s ODA facilities.

Over the years, Japan has funded major infrastructure projects, such as building modern fish plants and providing equipment, including ice-making machines and freezer trucks, to boost Grenada’s fisheries sector.

A news release disseminated by the Government Information Service said the Ambassador also highlighted Dr. Philip’s academic contributions, positioning her as an “enduring face” to lead the future of bilateral relations. He concluded his speech by calling for continued support and expressing gratitude to all stakeholders.

“Dr. Phillip expressed her profound gratitude for her selection as the first Honorary Consul of Japan to Grenada and for the opportunity to contribute to deepening relations between the two countries, which share another fifty years of close bilateral engagements in the future,” the release stated.

During the ceremony, Phillip Telesford, in his capacity as Acting Prime Minister, congratulated Phillip on her appointment while paying tribute to five decades of cooperation and friendship between Grenada and Japan.