Dr. Ritter Díaz, Director Representative of JAPOLAC, participated in the launch of Costa Rica’s Semiconductor Industry Roadmap by invitation from the Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, H.E. Manuel Tovar. The event took place at the Intercontinental Hotel on March 21 and 22, with the presence of the President of Costa Rica, His Excellency Mr. Rodrigo Chávez, the US Secretary of Commerce, H.E. Gina Raimondo, and the President of the Semiconductor Industry Association, Mr. John Neuffer, among other special guests.

Since the late 1990s, Costa Rica has embarked on an industrial transformation process driven by the arrival of INTEL, one of the leading global semiconductor production companies, and the establishment of a partnership between Costa Rica and the United States to explore opportunities for diversifying and growing a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain. This partnership is facilitated by the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (“ITSI Fund”), created by the CHIPS Act of 2022 in the USA.

Today, Costa Rica is not only engaged in testing, assembly, and packaging of semiconductors but is also venturing into chip design, as well as developing other light industries such as the manufacturing of medical devices, production of precision industrial tools, among other industrial activities.

Prior to the launch of the Roadmap, Dr. Díaz participated in several working sessions led by the ministers of foreign trade, labor, education, and the main universities in Costa Rica involved in training human resources in semiconductor-related fields.

Dr. Díaz had the opportunity to greet and thank the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, H.E. Indiana Trejos, and the CEO of the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), Mrs. Laura López, for the invitation to such a special event, which marks an important milestone in the country’s industrial transformation process.

Additionally, Dr. Díaz participated in a tour of the Coyol Free Trade Zone where he firsthand learned about companies linked to the semiconductor industry and the manufacturing of high-precision tools for high-tech companies, which employ over 400 highly skilled professionals trained by the Costa Rican Technological University (TEC). Currently, there are around 500 renowned companies established in the country.

It is worth noting that during the working session with the universities, the Vice President of TEC explained that INTEL’s arrival in Costa Rica prompted a change in the educational model, generating an engineering adapted to the company’s needs, which was replicated in companies from other industrial sectors. In summary, Costa Rica’s educational model reflects an educational paradigm that prepares citizens for life, integrating them into the productive forces of the country with high-quality and well-paid employment. As a professor at the University of Costa Rica commented to me, the country went from “banana chips to microchips.”

 

On March 12, the University of Santiago, Chile, in collaboration with Chiba University, carried out the first short online program under the University Internationalization Program coordinated by the Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC).

This three-week synchronous online program is designed to provide Chiba University students with an overview of Chile, covering topics such as the country’s rich copper, lithium, and iodine production, as well as insights into its thriving winery industry and an introduction of Chile’s salmon and forestry sectors. Additionally, the program includes a cultural exchange component aimed at fostering interaction between Japanese and Chilean university students.

The opening ceremony counted on the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Tsubasa Yagi, Chief of the Political Section of the Embassy of Japan in Chile; Honorable Ms. Angela Tobar, Second Secretary of the Asia Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile; Dr. Hiroaki Ozawa, Vice-President for Education at Chiba University; and Dr. Patricia Pallavicini, Vice-Rector for Community Engagement at the University of Santiago, Chile.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, expressed heartfelt appreciation to both universities for their collaborative efforts in organizing this short online program. He emphasized its significance in enriching Japanese students’ understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Dr. Diaz underscored that this initiative marks the beginning of closer academic cooperation between Chiba University and the University of Santiago, Chile.

JAPOLAC’s short online programs aim to provide Japanese university students with practical knowledge about Latin American and Caribbean countries, encouraging them to explore opportunities for further study and travel to the LAC region. Furthermore, these programs facilitate international communication in English, thereby equipping students from both Japan and Chile with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the global landscape in this digital era.

On March 11th, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, had the opportunity to participate in the decoration ceremony for Mr. Junichiro Ikeda, Chairman of the Board of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL), and Mr. Toshifumi Akimoto, President of the Japan Firefighters Association, at the Official Residence of the Paraguayan Ambassador.

The ceremony was presided over by His Excellency, Raúl Florentín, Ambassador of Paraguay, who awarded the National Order of Excellence, Don José Falcon, in recognition of the remarkable contribution of the Japan Firefighters Association and MOL to strengthen the firefighting equipment of Paraguay’s fire departments.

Furthermore, the ceremony featured the distinguished presence of H.E. Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, who was conducting an official visit to Japan.

It is important to highlight that the Japan Firefighters Association has made donations of firefighting vehicles and ambulances to several fire departments in Paraguay. Additionally, MOL has facilitated maritime transportation of firefighting equipment with a significant discount, given MOL’s important commercial relations with the Republic of Paraguay.

Dr. Díaz took the opportunity to congratulate both distinguished individuals, particularly Mr. Junichiro Ikeda, President of MOL, with whom Dr. Díaz had an excellent working relationship during his tenure as Ambassador of Panama in Japan, as MOL maintains a significant number of vessels registered under the Panamanian flag.

This generous support will have a significant impact on the capacity of several fire departments in Paraguay to combat fires, respond to medical emergencies, and provide greater security to the general population.

 

Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, attended a welcome reception hosted by the Embassy of Jamaica on the occasion of the participation of Jamaican companies at FOODEX JAPAN 2024.

Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards, Ambassador of Jamaica, noted that this was the second time Jamaican companies had participated in FOODEX JAPAN, expressing gratitude to all organizations involved in supporting their presence at this significant food fair.

Alongside Jamaican companies, the event saw the attendance of representatives from Japanese companies, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Economy and Trade of Japan, the Jamaica Tourism Board, among others.

Ambassador Richards also extended her appreciation to JAPOLAC for furnishing Jamaican exporters with essential insights into the Japanese market, aiding in their preparation for participation at FOODEX JAPAN 2024.