Kohei Maruyama | A country where the lignum vitae blooms

When I first arrived in Jamaica last year November, I was captivated by its colours. The vibrant shades of red bougainvillea and hibiscus, amidst the lush green tropical landscape all seemed to celebrate life itself. Yet, in time, my eyes were drawn to a quieter beauty: modest, purplish-blue flowers blooming with a dignified tranquility. I soon learned that this was the lignum vitae, Jamaica’s national flower.

That discovery has stayed with me ever since.

The more I learn about Jamaica, the more I have come to see the lignum vitae as a reflection of this country’s remarkable journey. Jamaicans have built their own nation through courage, determination and an unwavering desire for freedom. Like the flower that blooms from one of the hardest woods in the world, the Jamaican people possess a quiet strength, resilience and dignity that continue to inspire me.

As Jamaica celebrates its 64th Independence Day, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Jamaicans. It is a privilege for me, as the ambassador of Japan – a country that has enjoyed more than six decades of friendship with Jamaica – to celebrate this special occasion with you. Independence Day is not only a celebration of the path taken; it is also a moment to look confidently towards the future.

Since my arrival, people of Jamaica have been welcoming me with extraordinary warmth. When I shared a greeting of “Wah gwaan, everyone?” on Embassy’s Instagram, I was met with the delightfully creative reply of “Konnichiwah gwaan!” When I shared the experience of rather clumsily baking an Easter bun, people began introducing me as the “Easter Bun Ambassador”.

These light-hearted moments revealed something profound and reminded me that even in difficult times, Jamaicans never lose their generosity, their sense of humour, or their ability to make others feel at home. That spirit became even more evident as I visited communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa.

Under the Caribbean sun, I saw homes reduced to nothing but standing pillars and schools whose roofs were still covered with blue tarpaulins. Yet what struck me more was the determination of the people rebuilding their communities together. Local residents, government officials, volunteers, businesses and countless others were working side by side, not simply to restore what had been lost, but to build a stronger future.

Natural disasters expose a country’s vulnerabilities, but they also reveal its character.

Japanese understands this well having experienced devastating earthquakes, typhoons, floods and heavy snowfalls ourselves. We have learned that resilience is built not only through stronger infrastructure or better technology but through communities that support one another and people who refuse to lose hope. In this respect, Jamaica and Japan have much in common. Both are island countries blessed with extraordinary natural beauty. Both have learned that living in harmony with nature also means facing harsh realities. Both continue to address the growing challenges of climate change. And both understand that resilience is not merely a policy objective – it is a way of thinking about the future.

One small coincidence always makes me smile. At international conferences, Jamaica and Japan naturally find ourselves seated next to each other because our country names begin with the letters JA. This delightful alphabetical coincidence symbolises a much deeper friendship our two countries have nurtured since establishing diplomatic relations in 1964.

Over the years, Japan has been proud to support Jamaica through cooperation in disaster risk reduction, infrastructure, education and human resource development.

Through my conversations with ministers, business leaders, educators, students and community members across Jamaica, I have noticed that everyone is united under one word: resilience.

It is not simply about recovering from disaster, or adapting to changes, but becoming stronger because of adversity. Japan shares that aspiration wholeheartedly, and I believe our partnership will become even stronger as we continue to learn from one another. Today, the world is becoming increasingly uncertain. No country, regardless of its size or geographic location, can solve global challenges alone. Countries that believe in freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law must continue to work together to preserve peace, stability and opportunity for future generations. Together, Jamaica and Japan have an important role to play – not only for our own peoples, but also for our wider regions and for the international community.

Some of my happiest moments in Jamaica have been visiting schools during ceremonies to hand over Japanese-funded school buses. When I hear children singing with excitement and see the smiles on their faces as they welcome a new bus, I feel that I am witnessing the evergreen future of Jamaica. I find myself eager for more conversations to learn:

– What is your favourite subject?

– What are your dreams?

And perhaps the most important question of all is:

– What kind of Jamaica do you hope to build?

Before I left Japan for Kingston, many friends encouraged me to experience Jamaica’s reggae, its world-famous Blue Mountain coffee and its extraordinary sporting achievements. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. However, what has left the deepest impression on me so far is something entirely different. It is the warmth of the Jamaican people, the optimism that survives hardship, and the determination to keep moving forward together. Those are the qualities that I already know I will remember long after my diplomatic assignment has concluded. As ambassador of Japan, I look forward to continuing conversations with people across this beautiful country and to deepening the friendship between our two nations. If our paths cross, I hope we will have an opportunity to talk.

Allow me once again to offer my sincere congratulations on Jamaica’s Independence Day as we unite celebrating resilience. May the friendship between Jamaica and Japan continue to grow ever stronger, richer and deeper. And may it flourish with the same quiet beauty, enduring strength and timeless grace as the lignum vitae that blooms across this remarkable island.

Kohei Maruyama is ambassador of Japan to Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com