205th Anniversary of the Independence of Central America
On September 11, 2026, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), attended a reception in Tokyo marking the 205th anniversary of Central America’s independence.
The reception brought together senior representatives of the Government of Japan, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of Japanese society to commemorate Central America’s historic independence and celebrate the longstanding friendship between Japan and the region.
On behalf of the Central American countries, H.E. Ms. Sussi Jiménez, Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Japan, delivered welcoming remarks. Ambassador Jiménez highlighted Japan’s role as a reliable partner of Central America for more than 90 years and expressed the region’s desire to deepen relations with Japan further and strengthen its position as a strategic partner. She also expressed appreciation for Japan’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
Representing the Government of Japan, H.E. Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, extended his congratulations on the anniversary. He recalled the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Central American countries, commemorated in 2025, and highlighted the friendship developed over the decades through mutual respect for each other’s cultures and diversity.
Minister Motegi also emphasized cooperation between Japan and Central America in addressing global challenges, including climate change, and Japan’s commitment to working with the region to strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. Under Japan’s evolving FOIP vision, he stressed the importance of supporting Central America’s autonomy and resilience.
The high-level Japanese representation also included Mr. Iwao Horii, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, who delivered the toast, and Ms. Arfiya Eri, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.
During the reception, Dr. Díaz conveyed JAPOLAC’s warmest congratulations to the Ambassadors of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. He reiterated JAPOLAC’s commitment to supporting the activities of Latin American and Caribbean diplomatic missions in Japan and to enhancing understanding of the region in Japanese society through educational, cultural, and business initiatives that contribute to strengthening Japan–Latin America and Caribbean relations.
Over more than nine decades of diplomatic relations, Japan and the Central American countries have built extensive cooperation in economic and social development, disaster prevention, environmental protection, education, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. The anniversary provides an opportunity not only to celebrate a shared Central American history, but also to reaffirm the enduring friendship and expanding partnership between Japan and Central America.
