Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day
Celebrating a Tasteful Tradition
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, renowned for its rich, smooth flavour and impeccable quality, is a symbol of the island’s natural bounty. Grown in the unique climatic conditions of the Blue Mountains, this coffee stands out as an iconic brand among coffee purveyors thanks to its consistently high quality.
As we commemorate Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee (JBMC) Day, we not only recognise one of the world’s finest coffees but also highlight a unique trade and development partnership between Jamaica and Japan. This enduring partnership is a testament to the power of shared passions and international friendship nurtured by several coffee stakeholders in both countries.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day, which was initiated in 2019 by the Association of Japanese Importers of Jamaican Coffee (AJIJC). JBMC Day has been endorsed by the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association and is celebrated annually in Jamaica following a proclamation by the Governor-General of Jamaica.
Why January 9? The date marks the red-letter day in 1967, when Japan first received the largest shipment of our “winning beans”. On January each year, the AJIJC commemorates the historic moment which marked the beginning of Japan importing more than 70 per cent of Jamaica’s coffee production.
Through its ongoing economic diplomacy and cultural partnership efforts, the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo has played a pivotal role in promoting Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee in Japan – and 2023 was quite an active year of collaboration in its promotional work which included the 2023 Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition. While visiting Japan for the 2023 SCAJ event, the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory (MBCF) Limited partnered with the Embassy to host a memorable dinner in Tokyo, celebrating Japan’s 70-year status as the primary importer of Jamaican coffee.
This event also saw the MBCF honouring 11 Japanese importers, including members of the AJIJC, symbolising the deep-rooted connection between the two nations forged by the coffee trade. The Embassy’s efforts were recognised with a plaque from the MBCF, underscoring its vital role in nurturing this important trade relationship.
In a significant move to further promote Jamaican coffee, Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards collaborated with 7-Eleven Japan, UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. to launch a Blue Mountain Coffee Blend. Since the announcement at a press conference last November, the limited blend has been available in over 21,000 7-Eleven stores across Japan. The promotion, which runs from November 2023 to the end of January 2024, features Jamaica-themed branding and is a key strategy in amplifying Brand Jamaica in the Japanese market.
On January 23 this year, the Embassy, in collaboration with AJIJC and Connect Worldwide Japan (representative of the Jamaica Tourist Board in Japan), will host a seminar and cocktail party for trade and lifestyle VIP Media. This year’s celebration of JBMC Day coincides with the 60th anniversary year of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan, and the second Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year—making it a truly significant milestone.
Later this month, the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami is set to host the inaugural Jamaica Brew Festival on January 20 to celebrate Jamaican arts, culture and coffee. This vibrant event will be hosted by Consul General Oliver Mair and feature book readings and signings by Jamaican authors and poets, screenings of short films by Jamaican filmmakers, and a showcase of Jamaica’s renowned coffee. The festival, aligning with Jamaica’s Coffee Day celebrations, aims to promote Jamaican coffee and enhance the visibility of our dynamic Jamaican brand.
In recognising Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, underscores the significance of the coffee trade to the Jamaica-Japan Partnership. She said this collaboration stands as a concrete manifestation of the Ministry’s dedication to the economic diplomacy programme (EDP). The EDP is jointly pursued by the Foreign Ministry and the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) to leverage trade and investment opportunities through Jamaica’s Overseas Missions. The Minister welcomed the ongoing EDP partnership which has bolstered the Ministry’s execution of Jamaica’s foreign policy in support of the island’s economic growth and job creation agenda.
Don’t miss out on the magic of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee in Japan. Click the links below and discover more about the coffee that has captivated the taste buds of many through this unique partnership:
https://www.sej.co.jp/products/sevencafe.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5EszUOtehk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zSGUfFP-t8
Caption: (L-R) Mr. Norman Grant (JCEA Chairman), Jamaican Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards, Mr. Patrick Pitterson (Acting Director General, JACRA) and Mr. Masanori Kotani (Promotions Committee, AJIJC) pictured at the Jamaica Coffee Exporters’ Association’s booth at the 2023 Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition held in Japan last September.
Caption: JCEA Chairman Norman Grant and Jamaican Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards join AJIJC Chairman Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima for the kagami biraki (opening of the Japanese sake cask) ceremony ahead of their toast to the future of the Jamaica-Japan connection!
Caption: Jamaican Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards joins President of 7-Eleven Japan Mr. Fumihiko Nagamatsu (centre), President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. Mr. Fumihiko Asada (right) and other partners for the launch of Seven Cafe’s Blue Mountain Coffee Blend.
