IT WAS ENTIRELY a diplomatic affair when Japan officially opened its embassy in Barbados recently.
The two countries have long held diplomatic ties, but the time had come to set up a permanent mission here and the occasion saw Trinidad-based Japanese Ambassador Mitsuhiko making the trip to Barbados along with his wife Mari Okada.
The Hilton cocktail-styled affair was attended by Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave, Government ministers, diplomats, members of the consular corps and a select few from the business community.