Japan–Trinidad and Tobago relations Japan–Trinidad and Tobago relations Japan and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago have had established diplomatic relations since May 1964, two years after the isles had attained their independence in 1962. Relations between Japan and Trinidad and Tobago have been strengthened over the years by many visits. Eric Williams, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, made official visits to Japan in 1974 and 1975. The Embassy of Japan at Port of Spain, was opened in 1979. In 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan paid a visit to Trinidad and Tobago as part of his wider
2014 Japanese general election re-appointed). The turnout in this election is the lowest in Japanese history. In 2012, the Democratic Party government under Yoshihiko Noda decided to implement a raise of the Japanese consumption tax. Following this move, the Liberal Democratic Party under Shinzo Abe regained control of the Japanese government in the December 2012 general election. Abe proceeded to implement a series of economic programs known as "Abenomics" in a bid to stimulate the economy. Despite these programs, Japan entered a technical recession in mid-2014, which Abe blamed on the consumption tax hike, even though many members of the LDP supported the hike.