On June 15, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Director Representante of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), participated in a reception held aboard the Chilean Navy’s training ship Esmeralda, currently docked in Osaka as part of its diplomatic voyage to support Chile’s presence at Expo Osaka 2025.

The reception was jointly hosted by H.E. Ricardo Rojas, Ambassador of Embassy of Chile in Japan and the Captain of the Esmeralda, Andrés Gallegos who delivered welcoming remarks underscoring the historical and symbolic importance of the Esmeralda as a “sailing embassy” that fosters friendship and understanding between nations.

The event was honored by the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, whose attendance highlighted the significance of Chile-Japan relations and the cultural diplomacy fostered by Expo Osaka 2025.

On this occasion, Dr. Díaz extended his sincere gratitude to Ambassador Rojas for the kind invitation and praised Chile’s initiative to arrange a stop of the ship at Osaka, the host city of the World Expo and Japan’s third-largest metropolis. He emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Esmeralda’s visit in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding mutual understanding through cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The Esmeralda, with a rich tradition of global maritime outreach, returns to Osaka nearly three decades after its last port call, reaffirming Chile’s commitment to international friendship and cooperation, particularly within the dynamic setting of Expo Osaka 2025.

On June 7, 2025, the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), together with the Association of Ecuadorians in Japan (SEKIDO), and with the cooperation of the Embassy of Ecuador, held the First Ecuador Cultural Festival under the theme “The Country of the Four Worlds: Rhythms of the Andes” at Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba.

This event marked the launch of JAPOLAC’s new cultural series, “Rhythms of the Andes”, highlighting the rich traditions, cuisine, music, dance, tourism, and products of countries along the Andes Mountains.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, emphasized the role of the Association as a platform for information, communication, and networking that promotes practical exchanges between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. JAPOLAC supports initiatives in key fields of human development such as education, business promotion, health, agriculture, environment, and technology, while also fostering greater cultural understanding and friendship.

The festival welcomed the distinguished presence of ambassadors from Andean nations: H.E. César Montaño of Ecuador, H.E. Eduardo Tempone of Argentina, H.E. Gustavo Makanaky of Colombia, H.E. Ricardo Rojas of Chile, and H.E. Roberto Seminario of Peru. Also in attendance was Mr. Yasushi Noguchi, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), who praised Ecuador’s diversity and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations.

As special guest of honor, the Ambassador of Ecuador expressed his appreciation to JAPOLAC and SEKIDO for their vision and dedication in making the event possible, while Mr. Fredy Armijos, President of SEKIDO, reflected on the cultural and historical importance of this collaboration.

The event showcased the vibrant essence of Ecuador through traditional food, music, dance, products and tourism exhibits representing its four geographic regions: Andes, Amazon, Coast, and Galápagos. Highlights of the cultural program included captivating performances by two guest artists from Ecuador: pianist Jorge Marlon and soprano Lorena Forero, whose artistry added elegance and depth to the celebration. The Andean band Raymis brought the spirit of the mountains to life with their dynamic performance, while dancers captivated the audience with traditional rhythms from both the Coastal and Andean regions. Over 150 guests enjoyed a unique cultural immersion celebrating Ecuador’s rich diversity.

JAPOLAC extends heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible, including Mayekawa Manufacturing, Mitsui Foods, Multiflave, Kura Sushi, Hatada Corporation, N25, Gunma Meat, Art Tour, Izux, Soko Natural Beauty, Go Galapagos, Alkimista Nakaizu Winery Hills, and many others. Special guest Nanana, the banana mascot from TV Tokyo, added a joyful touch for attendees of all ages.

Through the Rhythms of the Andes series, JAPOLAC continues to build bridges of friendship and cooperation between Japan and 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), visited the Research Center for Space Agriculture and Horticulture at Chiba University’s Graduate School of Horticulture (Matsudo Campus) to learn about Japan’s pioneering efforts in sustainable food production for space exploration and the potential for academic and technological collaboration with universities across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dr. Diaz visit included a detailed briefing on the Center’s mission to develop autonomous, closed-loop food systems for long-term human missions to the Moon, Mars, and deep-space travel.

Advancing Food Security in Space and Earth

The Research Center is focused on adapting plant factory technologies, genome editing, and closed ecosystem recycling systems to support life beyond Earth. The center also plays a strategic role in supporting Japan’s space initiatives, including the JAXA program and international partnerships under the Artemis Program.

A wide variety of crops are currently under research, including:

• Tomatoes – valued for their vitamin C, antioxidants, and comfort food qualities.
• Cucumbers – studied for their water-seeking root behavior (hydrotropism).
• Soybeans – a key protein source with multiple by-products.
• Rice – a staple carbohydrate being adapted for space-efficient cultivation.
• Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes – calorie-dense and easy to grow in closed systems.
• Strawberries and Lettuce – high-nutrient crops important for crew morale and diet.

These crops are being tested under simulated lunar and Martian conditions, with the aim of developing nutrient-rich, fast-growing, stress-resistant cultivars and fully recyclable agricultural systems for long-duration space missions. Technologies include pollination drones, robotic harvesters, and low-gravity simulators.

Toward International Academic Cooperation

Dr. Diaz expressed keen interest in promoting academic collaboration between the Center and universities in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in areas such as controlled environment agriculture, biotechnology, and sustainable development. The potential to apply space-agriculture technology to climate-stressed environments on Earth presents valuable opportunities for joint research and knowledge transfer.

“This center embodies not only the future of space exploration but also the future of agriculture on our planet,” said Dr. Diaz. “Its work aligns perfectly with the challenges many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean face in developing resilient, zero-emission food systems.”

JAPOLAC looks forward to facilitating dialogue between Chiba University and academic institutions across the region to explore joint research projects, student exchanges, and technology transfer, particularly in partnership with technology universities and and science and technology agencies in the LAC 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. Gustavo Makanaky, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Japan.

During the meeting, Dr. Diaz provided His Excellency with an overview of JAPOLAC’s mission and ongoing activities, underscoring 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 with the Embassy of Colombia, and mentioned an initiative promoted jointly with Kura Sushi to feature Latin American and Caribbean cuisine at the Kura Sushi Pavilion during Expo Osaka 2025. As part of this effort, the Colombian dish Creole Potatoes with Hogao Sauce is being offered to visitors, showcasing a well-known dish of the country.

Furthermore, Dr. Diaz reiterated his support for Ambassador Makanaky’s diplomatic mission, emphasizing that JAPOLAC serves as an additional platform to promote the activities of the Embassy of Colombia in Japan and to provide the Embassy with valuable information relevant to its work.

Ambassador Makanaky warmly welcomed the visit and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about JAPOLAC and its role in strengthening ties between Japan and the Latin American and Caribbean region. He shared his perspectives on the importance of Colombia-Japan diplomatic relations, reaffirming his commitment to deepening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries across various areas of mutual interest.

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 contributions to Japanese society.

Dr. Diaz was accompanied by senior JAPOLAC directors: Mr. Ajoy Sinha Roy, Mr. Neil Butler, and Mr. Fredy Armijos, who leads the Association’s business promotion initiatives.

On May 29, 2025, students from various faculties at Chiba University participated in the third diplomatic lecture delivered by His Excellency Manuel Roldán, Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala. The event offered a rare opportunity for direct engagement with a Latin American diplomat and left a lasting impression on the 35 participating students, who represented seven faculties across all academic years.

The Ambassador’s presentation was warmly received as both informative and inspiring. Students remarked on the ambassador’s ability to blend deep historical insight with personal anecdotes and moments of humor, making the content not only accessible but genuinely memorable. From the ancient legacy of the Mayan civilization to the vibrant diversity of modern Guatemalan society, the lecture painted a rich and multidimensional portrait of a country many students were discovering in depth for the first time.

A key highlight for many was the exploration of Guatemala’s ethnic diversity—home to 23 different ethnic groups—and the national efforts to provide daily school snacks or light meals at schools, known as refacciones. These practices sparked comparisons with Japan’s own social welfare system and prompted thoughtful reflection on different cultural approaches to addressing poverty and community support.

Students also took an interest in Guatemala’s agricultural exports and its strong trade ties with Japan, noting familiar products like coffee, sugar, and bananas. Several were especially intrigued by Guatemala’s renowned coffee and the parallels between Guatemalan coffee culture and Japan’s own tea traditions.

Another topic that drew attention was the ongoing border issue between Guatemala and Belize, which many students found eye-opening. Living in an island nation, the concept of land border disputes is foreign to most Japanese students. The Ambassador’s insights on this subject offered a valuable perspective on geopolitics and international law.

What stood out the most for many was the ambassador’s personal story—his passion for diplomacy and his decision to pursue this path despite early opposition from his family. Students expressed admiration for his commitment to sharing Guatemalan culture with the world and found his words deeply motivating as they think about their own careers in a globalized world.