By invitation of the Embassy of Ecuador, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the inauguration ceremony of the art exhibition “Andean Culture – Mountains of Flowers and Forests” by Ecuadorian artist Luis Millingalli.

The exhibition, organized by the Embassy of Ecuador in Japan in collaboration with SEKIDO and the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library, presented pictorial works that reflect the natural and cultural richness of the Ecuadorian Andes: flowers, forests, mountains, rural traditions, and the life of the páramo. Through vibrant colors and emblematic landscapes, Millingalli invites visitors to reflect on respect for nature, environmental preservation, and the cultural legacy of the Andes.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Fredy Armijos, Director of JAPOLAC and President of the Ecuadorian Association in Japan (SEKIDO), praised Millingalli’s work and emphasized that this exhibition serves as a cultural bridge between Ecuador and Japan.

Dr. Díaz expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Ecuador for the kind invitation and highlighted the importance of promoting art as a means of mutual understanding and as a way to strengthen cultural ties that complement institutional and economic cooperation between Ecuador and Japan.

JAPOLAC reaffirms its commitment to disseminating cultural activities that bring Japan closer to Latin America, contributing to the promotion of Latin American and Caribbean cultural expressions and diversity.

At the invitation of the Embassy of Cuba, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the National Day of the Republic of Cuba at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Dr. Díaz attended the National Day ceremony held on July 25, 2025, at the Expo’s National Day Hall, “Ray Garden.”The ceremony was presided over by Cuba’s Vice Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz, together with Mr. Kato Akiyoshi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), who delivered the Government of Japan’s address.

The Cuba Pavilion is organized by the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, with Ambassador Gisela García serving as Commissioner General. Cuba participates under the Expo sub-theme “Saving Lives,” highlighting contributions in health, science and innovation, culture, and solidarity, while promoting business and investment opportunities with Japan and the wider Asia–Pacific. On the eve of National Day, the Cuban side hosted an interactive business panel to present investment and collaboration opportunities.

Expo 2025 Osaka’s theme is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” a call for countries, companies, and citizens to co-create practical solutions that improve everyday living. Framed by three sub-themes—Saving Lives (health, safety, resilience), Empowering Lives (opportunity, inclusion, prosperity), and Connecting Lives (culture, community, mobility)—the Expo functions as a “People’s Living Lab,” turning pavilions and programs into testbeds for ideas on healthcare and aging, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, with the aim of scaling successful models beyond the site.

Last year, JAPOLAC successfully coordinated a series of food tastings at various Latin American and Caribbean embassies in collaboration with Kura Sushi, one of Japan’s most renowned sushi restaurant chains. Thanks to this initiative, Kura Sushi is serving vibrant and diverse flavors of LAC cuisine at its pavilion in Expo 2025 Osaka, including Cuba’s popular dish “Ropa Vieja” (shredded beef).

Dr. Díaz expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Gisela García for the kind invitation and reiterated JAPOLAC’s commitment to supporting the promotion of Cuban culture in Japan.

Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the “Japan–Peru Investment Day” seminar and the official reception organized on the occasion of the visit to Japan of H.E. Dina Boluarte, President of the Republic of Peru.

The seminar was organized by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) and the Peruvian Trade and Tourism Promotion Board (Promperú), in collaboration with JETRO. The event highlighted Peru’s stable macroeconomic environment, investment opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy, as well as the Peruvian Government’s commitment to fostering a transparent and secure business climate for Japanese investors.

In the context of the visit, President Dina Boluarte held a summit meeting in Tokyo with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between Japan and Peru, which spans more than 150 years. The visit included the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of tourism, the exchange of diplomatic notes on disaster prevention assistance, and the promotion of cooperation in defense, economy and trade.

Dr. Díaz expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of Peru to Japan, H.E. Roberto Seminario, for the kind invitation, and reaffirmed JAPOLAC’s commitment to supporting the initiatives of the Embassy of Peru aimed at further strengthening the excellent relations between Peru and Japan.

The Government of Japan officially launched the Platform for the Expansion of Infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean through Public-Private Partnership (PLACIDA), an initiative aimed at promoting Japanese corporate participation in strategic infrastructure projects across the region.

The inaugural meeting of PLACIDA was held on July 17, 2025, at the Mita Kyoyo Kaigisho in Tokyo, bringing together over 130 representatives from diplomatic missions, leading companies, and international organizations. The session was chaired by senior Japanese officials, including Mr. Yasushi Noguchi, Director-General for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Toshinari Takayama, Ministerial Counselor of METI; and Mr. Kenichi Ogasawara, Director of International Projects of MLIT. Ambassadors from various Latin American countries, along with representatives from JICA, JETRO, JBIC, NEXI, and JOIN, also participated.

During the meeting, Japanese authorities highlighted the economic outlook of Latin America and the opportunities for collaboration in resilient infrastructure, clean energy, and logistics projects. PLACIDA is designed to serve as a bridge connecting Japanese companies with Latin American governments and financial institutions, fostering projects that contribute to modernization and sustainability in the region.

Key features of the platform include annual high-level meetings and specialized working groups to identify priority projects, address regulatory frameworks, and mobilize financing. The initiative will also leverage official visits and international forums to consolidate agreements and advance bilateral and regional cooperation.

Latin America is considered a strategic partner for Japan due to shared democratic values, abundant natural resources, and strong human ties, with approximately 1.6 million Nikkei residents serving as cultural and economic bridges. The platform reflects Japan’s renewed commitment to expand its presence in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, reversing decades of reduced engagement.

JAPOLAC welcomes this initiative, which aligns with and complements the association’s objectives of increasing the presence of Japanese companies in development projects throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Mr. Eduardo Tempone, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Japan.

During the meeting, Dr. Diaz provided an overview of JAPOLAC’s mission and current initiatives, emphasizing the Association’s commitment to fostering practical and mutually beneficial exchanges between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In particular, Dr. Diaz expressed JAPOLAC’s full willingness to collaborate closely with the Embassy of Argentina, highlighting the past collaboration with the cultural section of the Embassy during the celebration of the cultural event “Latin America and Caribbean Tapas Party” in May 2022, which featured light dishes representative of various countries in the region, including the popular Argentine choripán.

The event also included a live Argentine tango performance, as well as an exhibition of illustrations from the Florian Paucke Foundation, depicting scenes from 18th-century Santa Fe, Argentina, including the life of the Mocoví indigenous people and the region’s fauna and flora, as drawn by Jesuit missionary Florian Paucke. These works are considered an important cultural and historical legacy of Argentina’s colonial period.

Dr. Diaz also reiterated his support for Ambassador Tempone’s diplomatic mission, stressing that JAPOLAC serves as an additional platform to promote the Embassy’s initiatives and provide valuable information related to political, economic, social, and international developments in Japan.

Ambassador Tempone welcomed the visit and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about JAPOLAC and its efforts to strengthen relations between Japan and Latin America and the Caribbean. He also shared his perspectives on the importance of Argentina–Japan diplomatic ties and mentioned plans for an upcoming event aimed at promoting the Argentine brand in Japan.

With this visit, JAPOLAC reaffirms its dedication to supporting the efforts of Latin American and Caribbean embassies accredited in Japan, particularly in promoting greater awareness of the region’s rich cultural heritage and its contributions to Japanese society.

Dr. Diaz was accompanied by JAPOLAC Directors Mr. Ajoy Sinha Roy and Mr. Fredy Armijos.