The Japanese ambassador to Dominica, Yutaka Matsubara, has conferred Ambassador Irwin Larocque with the Japanese highest national award. The government of Dominica is honouring Larocque for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Caribbean community via his leadership service at CARICOM for 10 years (2011-2021).
A former government official and economic adviser to the government of Dominica, Larocque provided strategic leadership for the implementation of the CSME during his time at CARICOM secretariat. Ambassador Matsubara commended his contribution to fostering Japan-Dominica relations over the years.
It’s an honour for me to share in this historic occasion of the conferment of the Japanese national decorations. The Order of the Riding Sun – Gold and Silver Star – upon His Excellency Irwin Joseph Larocque. This is the first time that such as prestigious Japanese decoration is being awarded to the citizen of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I cannot begin to express what a tremendous bravery it is to share in the celebrations of Ambassador Larocque’s achievements – his well-established and exceptional contribution to relations between Japan and Dominica.
Yutaka Matsubara, Japan’s Ambassador to Dominica
PM Roosevelt Skerrit expressed delight at the honour bestowed on Larocque, saying no one qualifies for the conferment but him.
The government of Dominica believes that you Ambassador Larocque are truly deserving of this award, and alongside with the government of Japan commend you for your efforts in strengthening the bonds of friendship between Japan and the Caribbean states; and for the beneficial outcomes emanating from these efforts. And as prime minister of Dominica…I do not believe there is anybody else who could be more deserving of this commendation from the government of Japan.
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica
Larocque expressed thanks to the government of Japan for the conferment and noted that his first visit to Japan was when he was a permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said he started to work to strengthen CARICOM alliance with Japan in 1993 and thanked the Japanese government for their assistance when Dominica and other Caribbean countries suffered natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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