The government of Japan has donated five maritime patrol vessels to Jamaica, reinforcing its ongoing support for the island’s efforts to reduce crime and strengthen national security.
The vessels were officially handed over during a ceremony at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard Base in Port Royal, Kingston, on Thursday, April 10. The donation marks the latest contribution in a longstanding partnership between the two nations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jacqueline Green-Scaffe, representing the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), praised Japan’s continued generosity through grants, equipment, and diplomatic goodwill. She said these contributions have enhanced not only the capacity of the security forces to fight crime but also their ability to help build safer communities.
The newly donated vessels, she said, represent a significant step forward. “The provision of inshore patrol vessels is a powerful demonstration of what cooperation and mutual respect between nations can achieve,” ACP Green-Scaffe stated. “These vessels now entrusted to the JCF will significantly strengthen our ability to secure our maritime domain. In this regard, they will serve as another layer of protection for the people of Jamaica, fortifying our shared mission to ensure a safe and secure society.”
She also acknowledged Japan’s previous donation of vehicles to the JCF, which are already in use. “These vehicles are enhancing mobility and have made a tangible impact on the ground,” she noted. “They have contributed meaningfully to crime-fighting efforts, assisting the police in the strategic deployment of personnel and resources across key areas.”
ACP Green-Scaffe stressed that security is not achieved in isolation, but rather “built on networks of trust, on cooperation across sectors and, yes, on the steady hand of diplomacy.” She added that the partnership between Jamaica and Japan is a clear example of how international development assistance, aligned with local priorities, can yield real results that “save lives and safeguard futures.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, echoed her sentiments. He praised the efforts of the security forces and emphasized the value of international support in improving Jamaica’s security infrastructure. “We will have to put in more [assets], and we appreciate the contribution of the Japanese Government to strengthen our security teams. We will continue to work to ensure that we have a safe country,” he said.
Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, also addressed the gathering, expressing optimism about Jamaica’s recent progress in crime reduction. “The murder rate in Jamaica, so far, this year declined about 35 per cent compared to last year, in addition to the decline of 19 per cent in 2024 and the decline of seven per cent in 2023,” he stated. “I’d like to congratulate Minister Chang, Police Commissioner, Dr. [Kevin] Blake and [Chief of Defence Staff], Vice Admiral Wemyss-Gorman, and all the JCF and the JDF staff on the very promising news.”
Ambassador Atsumi said he was pleased to know that Japan’s cooperation may have played a part in this progress, and urged Jamaica to continue pushing forward. “I am happy to think that Japan’s cooperation with Jamaica contributed to the reduction in crime and violence,” he added, encouraging further efforts to make Jamaica one of the safest places in the world.
