JAPOLAC Joins the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Peace Boat

On August 18, JAPOLAC proudly participated in the commemoration of Peace Boat’s 40th Anniversary. This event marked a significant milestone for Peace Boat, as it resumed operations in April of this year following a pause caused by the pandemic.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Tatsuya Yoshioka, the visionary Founder and Director of the ship, and his dedicated team, highlighting their unwavering commitment to fostering peace and facilitating cultural exchange across the globe.

Founded in 1983, the Peace Boat is an international NGO based in Japan, dedicated to advancing peace, human rights, and sustainable development in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With four decades of impactful experience, Peace Boat has organized over 70 voyages around the world, making port calls in more than 200 locations across 80 countries.

Peace Boat’s mission revolves around raising awareness about critical global issues and nurturing cross-cultural understanding. In addition to its voyage itinerary that spans different regions and nations, the ship’s passengers engage in workshops, seminars, joyful cultural events, and hands-on activities, including peace advocacy, disarmament, human rights, environmental sustainability, and disaster relief, among others.

The commemorative event concluded with a captivating cultural performance that highlighted the vibrancy of Latin dance and music, organized by JAPOLAC. This performance truly encapsulated the spirit of unity and celebration that defines Peace Boat’s remarkable 40-year journey.

Over 500 people participated in the event, including ambassadors and diplomats from 45 embassies accredited to Japan.

JAPOLAC Hosted the Cultural Event “Rhythms of the Caribbean: The Magic of the Dominican Republic”

On July 23, JAPOLAC successfully held the cultural event “Rhythms of the Caribbean: The Magic of the Dominican Republic” in the heart of Tokyo.

H.E. Robert Takata, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Japan, delivered a warm welcome speech, expressing gratitude for the invaluable role played by JAPOLAC in strengthening the bonds of friendship between Japanese and Latin American and Caribbean
communities.

This event marked the third installment in the “Rhythms of the Caribbean” series, captivating the audience with an array of vibrant dance performances, cheerful music, authentic cuisine, tourist attractions and products from the Dominican Republic.
Through these events, JAPOLAC aims to foster cultural awareness among the Japanese citizens, showcasing the distinctive aspects of various Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Furthermore, JAPOLAC endeavors to create a warm and friendly space for Japanese people and their families to learn about and engage with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Over 130 participants attended the event, including the ambassadors from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and the Charge d’Affairs from the embassies of Colombia and Bolivia.

The success of the event was made possible by the generous support of several companies, including Kiyomura Corporation (Sushi Zanmai), Japan Partnership Holdings, Kyodai, Meiji Holdings, Ricoh (31 Country Club), Japan Export Import, Ltd., Noi Enterprise, Hatada Corporation, and Japan Aviation High School.

JAPOLAC remains dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and fostering stronger ties between Japan and Latin American and Caribbean nations.

JAPOLAC Takes Part in Sensitization Session for FOODEX 2024

On July 27, Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, delivered a lecture at the Sensitization Session for FOODEX 2024. The session was organized by the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporter Association (JMEA) in collaboration with the Embassy of Jamaica in Japan.

The primary objective of this informative session was to equip Jamaican exporters and relevant
government agencies with essential insights into the Japan 49th International Food and Beverage Exhibition (FOODEX 2024), the Japanese market, and the potential benefits it offers.

During his presentation, Dr. Diaz shed light on key aspects of the Japanese consumer behavior, the Japanese market dynamics, and the intricacies of the import system. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of government's support for Jamaican export companies and explained JAPOLAC’s role in facilitating business collaborations between Japanese and Latin America and Caribbean companies.

A notable addition to the session was the participation of a representative from the Japan Management Association, the organizer of FOODEX 2024, who provided an overview of the upcoming exhibition.

This event garnered the enthusiastic participation from over 30 export companies from
Jamaica.

The Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, H.E. Shorna-Kay Richards, and representatives from Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) were also in attendance, making it a truly engaging and interactive gathering.

Online Coordination Meeting for International Career Seminar at Utsunomiya University

Dr. Ritter Diaz, the representative director of JAPOLAC, participated in an online coordination meeting for the lecturers of the International Career Seminar (ICS) organized by Utsunomiya University.

The primary objective of the ICS is to provide students with a comprehensive global perspective to pursue international careers, focusing on essential concepts such as “Globalization” and “Glocalization.” These concepts highlight the increasing importance of global issues within local communities.

The ICS is a three-day seminar conducted in English, covering subjects such as International Business, International Cooperation, Multi-cultural Society, and Japan, as well as Cross-cultural Understanding/Communication.

The seminar features lectures by professors from Utsunomiya University and guest lecturers who possess extensive global experience in higher education, international business, and other related fields.

It is worth noting that this is the second year that the Director of JAPOLAC has been invited to deliver a lecture on International Business from the perspective of commercial diplomacy.

Promotion of High School Student Exchange

Dr. Ritter Diaz, representative director of JAPOLAC, organized a meeting with H.E. Robert Takata, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, with the purpose of informing about the scholarship program offered by Japan Aviation High School to outstanding high school students from various countries.

This program provides an excellent educational opportunity for foreign high school students who have demonstrated exceptional skills in sports and arts.

One of the main objectives of JAPOLAC is to promote international education between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, with the aim of fostering cultural understanding between both regions.