The Editor, Sir:

First, allow me to introduce myself. I am a musician and teacher who is also a permanent resident of Japan. I have been living here for eight years. I would like to explain the reason for my letter. First and foremost, Jamaica is a beloved country. Its culture, food and music have shaken the world and as a result we are copied by many people. No other country or island, apart from the United States, has had such an impact on the world as Jamaica.

I have often wondered why Jamaicans and the Jamaican Government continue to allow our country to be raped andhijacked. Without any benefit to the Jamaican people, our products and music are being produced and sold around the world without a licence to do so.

Jamaica needs help. We often complain that we do not have the resources to move forward. That's not true. We need to protect our culture, our music and our people.

As I walk around the city where I reside, I often visit small shops where our products are displayed in yellow, gold and green, from Bob Marley T-shirts to coconut oil, along with the heavy beat of dancehall music in the background.

We have no qualms about people representing or promoting our culture, but when it comes to pirating our products, I am totally against it. As a small nation we should pull together in unity for the upliftment of our people.

As it is right now, there is no logical reason why our people should be suffering or why our people are still living in poverty, when, indeed, we are so rich.

Poor sponsorship

As a Jamaican, I am the only woman who has ever successfully promoted and produced an event here. Sponsorship and support are almost next to nil, when it comes to non-natives. I have lived here for a while and have assimilated myself into the Japanese culture to some degree.

I do have respect for the Japanese culture and people, and I do think there are many good practices that Jamaicans as a people could learn from them. We would like to continue to enjoy a good relationship with the Japanese people, but we must separate friendship and business.

I am looking forward to hearing from companies in Jamaica who would like to gain a foothold in the Japanese market through the sponsorship of major events promoted by a Jamaican committee, along with our Japanese partners.

I am, etc.,

ROSEMARIE SAMUELS

rozinjapan@msn.com

Osaka, Japan

Via Go-Jamaica