Similar to Japan, Barbados is facing a declining birth rate and aging population. The Ministry’s mission includes “contribut[ing] to the overall socio-economic development of Barbados and the empowerment of all members of society by fully utilizing all available human, financial and technological resources”. Its responsibility includes helping to instill vigor in the nation’s poor, vulnerable, and marginalized people, as well as cooperating with domestic and foreign strategic partners to effectively and efficiently provide social security. In this light, Minister Humphrey’s visit to Japan was proposed by Japanese Ambassador to Barbados Kayoko Fukushima and with the consultations and coordination through the Japanese Embassy in Barbados APIC made the decision to invite Minister Humphrey.

Minister Humphrey held talks with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii and State Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare Masahisa Miyazaki. He discussed welfare policies for the elderly among other topics at the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW); at the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research they were informed about nursing care infrastructure and support for caregivers as well as research and analysis of super-aging societies and related topics. At the Social Welfare Bureau of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Minister and his group gained insight into Tokyo’s treatment of the homeless population. Additionally, the group visited the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minato Ward Gender Equality Center (Libra), and Katsushika Ward Silver Human Resources Center and its workshop.

The group’s regional visits included the city of Nagoya (Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya City Para-Sports Center, Nagoya City Physically Disabled Welfare Federation, Social Welfare Corporation), Nanyo City in Yamagata Prefecture, and Okinawa Prefecture.

Either Executive Director Sobashima or Secretary General Araki of APICaccompanied the group on all stops of the program.

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In the morning of the 6th, APIC President Shigeie gave the Minister’s group a rundown of the program’s dates and events, as well as briefed them on the challenges of security, economy, and external relations that Japan is currently facing.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, where they were informed on Japan’s elderly welfare policies (nursing insurance system, comprehensive community caregiving system, dementia countermeasures, use of caregiving robots, issues in medical treatment and caregiving, etc.), as well as welfare policies for the disabled.

Following their visit to the MHLW, Minister Humphrey and party visited the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research where they received an explanation of the institute’s research on caregiving infrastructure and caregiver support to help middle-aged and elderly individuals towards a “100-million People Active Society”. They also learned about its modeling and comprehensive analysis in demography, economy, and society of a super-aging society.

In the morning of the 7th, the group visited the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. After watching a video in English explaining the Center’s activities (these included the categories of disabilities in Japan, what type of support is provided for each category, international cooperation, etc.), the group asked a number of questions which were answered by President Haga, and then the party received a tour of the facilities. Minister Humphrey said that he would like to learn from the Center’s wonderful activities. He later obtained the link to the video shown at the beginning to take back home.

That afternoon the party visited the Minato Ward Gender Equality Center (Libra), where officials explained the measures taken in regards to gender equality, health, human rights, and others based on the ward’s gender equality ordinances.

In the evening, Minister Humphrey held talks with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii. A friendly atmosphere enveloped the room, with Minister Humphrey explaining that Barbados suffers from a declining and aging population, just like Japan, and thus he came to Japan to learn about the policies and measures being taken in these areas, as well as that the trip was moving forward in a beneficial way. He also expressed his gratitude for the aid Japan provided for Barbados’ marine environment. State Minister Horii commented that 2024 is the “Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year”, and that he looks forward to taking Japan’s relationship with CARICOM nations to a higher level.

♦Visit to Nagoya

In the morning of the 8th, the party visited the Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School of Nagoya City University, where they received explanations including presentations on the topics of elderly community healthcare, community healthcare education, and medical and educational support for developmental disorders. Specific presentation topics were as follows: “Report on experimental verification using mice regarding the effect of umami components in suppressing aggressiveness”; “Introduction of a recurrent education program related to caregiving”; “In the context of the aging population, the significance of weight-bearing ankle exercises in preventing gait disorders”; “As part of Nagoya City University’s curriculum, students in fields such as medicine and nursing incorporate hands-on practical training in the community”; and “Overview of research on dementia".

Minister Humphrey described the information he gained as useful, adding that he would like to consider sending students from Barbados to this university.

In the afternoon, the group visited Nagoya City Para-Sports Center. The Center is the second-oldest of such facilities in Japan, following a similar center in Osaka. A wheelchair basketball coach and an archery coach for the Paralympic Games gave a summary and a tour of the facility. During the tour, the group had the opportunity to try playing wheelchair basketball and blind table tennis (by wearing eye masks to mimic the experience of a visually impaired player). Each member of the party was presented with a sticker that had their name printed in Japanese Braille, and everyone proceeded to stick it on the back of their cellphone. The Minister mentioned that the facility was highly equipped and that he wished the two coaches would come to Barbados to coach their team.

Following this, the party paid a visit to Nagoya City Physically Disabled Welfare Federation, Social Welfare Corporation and adjoining facility. The Federation and facility were originally founded by people with physical disabilities, but currently they receive subsidies from the City of Nagoya along with their own capital. Over 30 people with disabilities work at the facility, performing jobs such as polishing car parts, sewing, and other jobs. When visiting each work room, the workers all waved the national flag of Barbados to welcome Minister Humphrey and the group. The Minister showed keen interest when he found out that a completely blind person was listening to audio information to perform her task on a computer. The Minister proceeded to hand the braille sticker he received to her and asked what was written, and the worker replied “Humphrey”, and sounds of awe rippled among the group.

♦Visit to Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture

The group spent the entire day of the 9th visiting the city of Nanyo, Yamagata Prefecture, which was Barbados’ host town for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and received a big welcome. When Minister Humphrey and party arrived at Nanyo City Hall at around 11 a.m., a big national flag of Barbados was flying, and Mayor Takao Shiraiwa was waiting outside the hall. When the mayor ushered the group inside, they were greeted by a large round of applause from staff gathered there and were photographed by the local media reporting on the occasion.

During the first round of talks between the Minister and the Mayor, the topics included Mayor Shiraiwa’s visit to Barbados, the group’s schedule while in Japan, and continuation of exchanges between Barbados and Nanyo City. The friendly conversation between the two parties continued at lunch.

After the talks at city hall, the group visited the “Shelter Nanyo Hall”, which holds the Guiness World Record for largest wooden concert hall. Leaving the concert hall, the received a briefing from the City’s officials responsible for Commerce and Tourism on the city’s efforts of treating people with disabilities and promoting tourism. Minister Humphrey and party were then given a tour of the multipurpose public gymnasium which included devices for the disabled.

Following lunch with Mayor Shiraiwa, the group changed their schedule to make a detour to a local wine shop where they bought souvenirs.

After the short shopping trip, they visited the next stop on the list, “Bambina Nanyo”, a child welfare facility. There, the group received an explanation of the facility’s activities.

Next Minister Humphrey and party visited Kumano Taisha Shrine. They were taught the proper manners used when praying at Japanese shrines, and each member offered a coin to proceed to make their respective wish. Afterward they visited the Yuzuru no Sato history museum, where they listened to the Japanese folk story of “Tsuru no ongaeshi”, a tale about a crane returning a favor to a man, and received a tour of the museum from the curator himself. Following the museum was a visit to the public bathhouse “Akayu Hot Spring Yukotto” where they took a look at their facilities, in particular the barrier free bathing room.

City officials accompanied the group from their arrival at to their departure from Akayu Station; it seems that the Barbados-Nanyo friendship will continue.

In the morning of the 10th, the party was back in Tokyo to make a visit to the Social Welfare Bureau of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, where they were informed on Tokyo’s activities regarding its unhoused population. The unhoused population is a problem unique to large cities; Tokyo performs approximate quantitative surveys twice a year, and interview surveys regarding living situations once every five years. Based on their findings, the unhoused population has been decreasing. Tokyo has set up “independence support centers” and is providing job training support for homeless people so that they might get back on their feet. In addition, Minister Humphrey, on his part, commented that in Barbados the homeless population has been increasing, particularly due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that Tokyo’s policies to combat homelessness would be very useful in approaching the problem back home. He asked the Bureau for the list of questions used for interview surveys regarding living situations, which was forwarded to him within a few days.

After the visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the group enjoyed shopping at the famous Asakusa area and did a bit of shopping and exploring in the area.

In the afternoon, the party visited the Katsushika Ward Silver Human Resources Center. After Minister Humphrey’s intention to promote the utilization of “silver human resources” in Barbados was introduced, officials explained their activities, including the types of office and light work which elderly people were engaged with, followed by a tour of Tateishi Workshop managed by the Center, where senior citizens were renewing fusuma sliding doors and shoji screens, as well as assembling product parts.

In the evening, Minister Humphrey conducted talks with State Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare Masahisa Miyazaki. During the talks, the subject of the Barbados Minister’s planned visit to Okinawa was mentioned, which prompted State Minister Miyazaki to introduce that he himself was from Okinawa. He proceeded to talk about the details of Japan’s aging and declining population and the policies to address it. The two sides agreed to an exchange of opinions on the subject.

Later in the evening APIC President Shigeie hosted a dinner in honor of the visitors from Barbados. Those in attendance included people who had met the group at their various destinations, and those who had connections to Barbados and the Central America region. Minister Humphrey shared his reflections of his visit to Japan so far covering Tokyo, Nagoya city, and Nanyo City, and his expectations of the upcoming itineraries of Okinawa, creating a friendly atmosphere among the gathering.

♦Visit to Okinawa

Okinawa is one of the five “Blue Zones” (areas in the world where people live longer than the average) in the world (Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California, USA; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece are the other four), and Barbados Prime Minister Motley suggested that Minister Humphrey should visit the island during his trip by all means. The Minister watched the segment on Okinawa of the Netflix documentary “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” before arriving in Japan. Common factors within the Blue Zone areas include eating habits, exercise, interaction with the community, among others.

The group left for Okinawa on the 11th, and joined the regular meeting of the “Okinawa Blue Zone Gathering”, which pursues a healthy long life. While the meeting had been scheduled at the time, in light of the planned visit of the Minister, the Gathering changed its meeting title to “Cultural Friendship Gathering with Caribbean Countries” and requested the Minister to address the Gathering. In his address, Minister Humphrey mentioned how happy he was to be able to meet Dr. Makoto Suzuki, the director of the Gathering (Ryukyu University Professor Emeritus) who was among those interviewed in the Netflix documentary he had watched before visiting.

Then, there was a talk on “How to Write Your Will in Search of Happiness” followed by Shamisen music and Ryukyu dance performances.

On the 12th, the party tried their hand at karate where they attempted to break ceramic roof tiles. In the afternoon they met two women, one 89 years-old and the other 82, at a local community hall, where they listened to what they considered the secret to a long life: healthy eating habits, daily exercise, active participation in the community, etc.

In the morning of the 13th, Minister Humphrey and group met and held talks with Okinawa Vice Governor Chikushu Ikeda at Okinawa Prefectural Government Office. During the talks, the Minister mentioned that he and the other participants had purchased several items of Kariyushi wear, as well as tried breaking roof tiles karate-style, creating a friendly atmosphere. Both sides showed interest in maintaining a relationship between Barbados and Okinawa. Afterward, officials gave an explanation of Okinawa’s policies addressing the rising senior citizen population, to which Minister Humphrey requested extra information regarding the practical aspects during an online video conference to be held back in Barbados.

The Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs of Barbados and his party took home with them a wealth of information regarding policies and measures addressing declining and aging population throughout Japan. We will see in due course what will happen in Barbados regarding how it addresses the challenges of its aging and declining population.