Sustained people-to-people contact through tourism, study and business exchange programs, is often emphasized as helping to shape public opinion, and build long-lasting, cooperative and fruitful relations between countries.
This past week, Saint Lucia’s delegation at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan—which comprised 3 Government Ministers, investment officials and artistes—reinforced this truism in a most impactful and compelling way.
Saint Lucia and Japan have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1980, during which time we’ve received poignant support from Japan, notably in fisheries development, disaster resilience building, education and more recently, infrastructural development. Moreover, the presence of volunteers from Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has helped to humanize inter-country relations and build trust and mutual understanding.
Still, I boldly declare that in terms of people-to-people relations, significantly more impact was achieved in one glorious day (August 30, 2025) in Japan, than over 45 years of bilateral relations between Japan and Saint Lucia.
To my mind, this unprecedented outcome was realized because the Expo was embraced as an opportunity to utilize the soft power of cultural diplomacy to build an appreciation of the values, beliefs and way of life of our people; and equally importantly, to help unlock economic opportunities that may not be achieved through government channels alone.
“Saint Lucia Day” began with an hour-long, official ceremony that included brief remarks by Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Ernest Hilaire and Commissioner-General of the Expo, Haneda Koji— in which they celebrated the highlights of decades of fruitful cooperation between their countries. Their remarks provided the perfect segue way to an exhilarating, tight-knit, cultural segment that featured performances by some of Saint Lucia’s most gifted performing artistes. Over forty enthralling minutes, a packed auditorium of about 600 guests was served with “dimpos” of the bountiful spirit of Saint Lucian life. Throughout the performances, Saint Lucia’s “beautiful and bright” landscapes were unfurled in a video bed that drew audible gasps of appreciation from the audience.
Despite my intense familiarity with these landscapes, seeing them through the eyes of our Japanese hosts was emotionally enriching. Dezral Long captured my sentiments perfectly when he proclaimed in the first lines of his Anba Goj,
“I’m a Lucian, a true son, my heart is filled with national pride, but it pleased me, immensely, to see we push our culture up high.”
When Sly took to the stage to perform his anthemic “Damn Proud Lucian” he was sharing the emotions of every Saint Lucian in the audience.
After the formal opening ceremony, the “Piton People” as one Japanese referred to us, paraded joyfully through the Expo venue. At this point, it became evident that our Japanese hosts were inebriated with the spirit of Saint Lucia. They eagerly reached out for our flags and vigorously waved them as the parade moved past. Their happiness and enthusiasm mirrored the joy of their guests. Flanked by the stilt walkers bedecked in national colours and propelled by infectious drum rhythms, the contingent erupted into a spontaneous display that was authentically Saint Lucian. In that moment, we were not putting on a show for our hosts, as much as we were enjoying ourselves. It wouldn’t have mattered if there had been no audience.
As the parade progressed, I spotted a Japanese man wearing a T-shirt bearing the name of “Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School.” He revealed that for 2 years, he was a science teacher at that school. He’d traveled hundreds of miles from his hometown to witness the parade and to renew his connection with Saint Lucia.
Following the parade, the official delegation was feted at a formal banquet which was punctuated with light-hearted remarks and gift exchanges. Thereafter, the delegation was given a mind-blowing tour of Japan’s pavilion at the Expo, which revealed some of the scientific and technological innovations being pursued by the Japanese.
Following the tour, the delegation returned to the pavilion for a fashion show showcasing designs by Rafferty Intimates, De Kloze Line and Calabash Wear.
Saint Lucia Day ended quite fittingly, with a show dubbed “Rhythms of Iyanola” which emphasized the power of music as a bond builder. Every performer was a huge hit with the multi-aged crowd, notably Dennery Segment, which has a massive following in Japan; so too does Ricky-T who headlined the Japan Soca Weekend in Tokyo in September 2024.
The event ended with a dance competition which earned a young, female Japanese, a 7-day prize trip to Saint Lucia, compliments of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and Jade Mountain/Anse Chastanet Resorts.
I applaud the decision of the Government of Saint Lucia to participate in World Expo in the inspired and thoughtful manner that it was done. Over one million people visited Saint Lucia’s booth at the Expo Pavilion, where a variety of indigenous products were displayed.
Saint Lucia’s investment will likely not yield immediate benefits. However, a solid foundation was laid, that must now be built upon, with the same creativity, vitality and commitment to excellence that marked the celebration of Saint Lucia Day.
The event will have helped to convince the potential Japanese tourist of Saint Lucia’s natural beauty and its ability to offer unique cultural experiences, organized tours and high quality service and hospitality. However, more will have to be done to attract visitors from Japan. The typical Japanese traveler greatly values safety, cleanliness, good shopping and convenient (preferably one-stop) travel options.
Establishing markets in Japan for exotic Saint Lucian products like sea moss and rum will likely be easier to accomplish. Export Saint Lucia is well advanced on that front.
I warmly commend all who contributed to this memorable expose’ of Saint Lucia in Japan, notably Sunita Daniel who worked tirelessly to coordinate the business and cultural aspects of the experience, and Trevor King whose single-mindedness and fierce commitment to excellence was evident in the exceptional quality of the cultural and fashion events. Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire also deserves commendation for his adroit leadership of Saint Lucia delegation.