Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller agreed Wednesday to cooperate closely in reforming the U.N. Security Council and other issues.
During a meeting in Kingston, Abe expressed willingness to collaborate with Jamaica and 14 other member states of the Caribbean Community in ensuring equitable representation and increased membership of the Security Council, and ensuring maritime security and advancing disaster risk reduction, according to a Japanese official.
Simpson Miller expressed support for such initiatives, the official said.
On maritime security, the leaders affirmed that "common principles, such as the freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, restraint from the threat or use of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes must be adhered to in accordance with international law," according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.
The statement was apparently referring to China's muscle-flexing in the East and South China seas.
Given that the two countries face common challenges related to natural disasters, they "reaffirmed the importance of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development planning and international cooperation initiatives," it said.
Speaking at a post-summit news conference, Abe said, "Based on the joint statement, I would like to develop relations between the countries."
Simpson Miller thanked Abe for Japan's assistance to her country.
She also backed Abe's policy of proactive contribution to peace based on the principle of international cooperation, including Japan's new national security laws that expand the scope of operations of the Self-Defense Forces abroad.
Abe arrived in Jamaica on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the first Japanese prime minister to visit the Caribbean country. Abe is on the second leg of a two-nation tour that has taken him to New York for the U.N. General Assembly and related meetings.