Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Miguel A. Ramirez, Ambassador of Cuba to express his gratitude for the support of the Embassy of Cuba in the successful celebration of the event “Rhythms of the Caribbean: The Charm of Cuba” held on February 4, 2023, to promote Cuban culture.
During the meeting, Ambassador Ramirez also expressed his thankfulness to Dr. Diaz for the donation carried out by JAPOLAC to support the education of economically vulnerable people in Cuba. Part of the funds raised in JAPOLAC’s cultural events are allocated to social welfare activities of the country theme of the event.
In addition, Dr. Diaz exchanged views with Ambassador Ramirez regarding the possibility of academic and research cooperation between Japan and Cuba in the area of medicine due to the high level of advancement of Cuba in the medical field.
JAPOLAC also promotes academic exchanges between Japanese and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) universities, and in this regard, relies on the cooperation of the LAC embassies to identify universities interested in fostering academic links with Japan.
On February 4, 2023, JAPOLAC held the cultural event “Rhythms of the Caribbean: The Charm of Cuba” at Port Studio Takeshiba in the heart of Tokyo.
During the opening remarks, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, expressed his gratitude to all participants for attending the event despite the persistent risks of the ongoing pandemic.
Dr. Diaz pointed out that JAPOLAC seeks to create a cultural and social space to nurture bonds of friendship between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
H.E. Miguel A. Ramirez, Ambassador of Cuba to Japan delivered greetings remarks conveying his thankfulness to JAPOLAC for creating cultural linkages between Japan, Cuba and the Caribbean region.
Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, Honorary Director of JAPOLAC and President of Kiyomura Corporation, made a toast to the health of the attendees and the expansion of cultural ties and friendship between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
This is the second of a series of cultural events called “Rhythms of the Caribbean” to promote music, dance, food and tourism of the Caribbean countries. The first event took place in October last year to display the culture of Jamaica.
On this occasion, the event was designed to showcase music, dance, food and tourism of Cuba.
Through these events, JAPOLAC also aims at strengthening cultural identities of the region in the mind of Japanese people by highlighting iconic aspects of Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Over 100 persons attended the event including ambassadors from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Venezuela and the Vice Consul of the Embassy of Jamaica on behalf of the ambassador.
The event was supported by the companies Kiyomura Corporation (Sushi Zanmai), Japan Partnership Holdings, Saza Coffee, Unidos, Co. Ltd (KYODAI) and Sukoruni Wine, Co. Ltd., Pernod Ricard (Havana Club), Ricoh (31 Country Club) and Gaku Sugiyama Associates.
Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC participated at a working lunch with Mr. Juan Camilo Gomez, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Colombia to exchange views on the potential collaboration to promote access of Colombian products in the Japanese market.
One of the objectives of JAPOLAC is trade facilitation between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean focusing on the promotion of small and medium size companies.
Event Name: “Rhythms of the Caribbean: The Charm of Cuba” Date and Time: Saturday, February 4th 2023, 12:00-16:00. Doors Open at 11:30 a.m. Location: Takeshiba Port Studio, 8F, Tokyo Port City Takeshiba Office Tower, 1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-7590. 2 min. Walk from Takeshiba Station/ 4 min. walk from Hamamatsucho Station/ 5 min. from Daimon Station
Event Details:
Cuban singer Carlos Cespedes and music band
Basic dance lessons (salsa, rumba chachacha) by professional dancers and free danceto exercise with joy
Home-style Cuban food and drinks
Video showing tourist attractions
Product displays and sales
Admission Fee: Advance payment of 6,000 yen per person by bank transfer (please include transfer fee). The admission fee covers the above items.
Payment at the Reception on the day of event: 7,000 yen per person in Cash or PayPay.
※ Drinks and meals will be served in a standing buffet style for 2 hours.
※Children from 7 years old to 15 years old pay half price (6 years old and under are free).
Dress Code: Smart casual, jacket without tie.
Organizer: Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), 4-12-2-806, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045
TEL :(Japanese) 03-6264-3858 (English, Spanish) 03-6264-3859
Email: info@japolac.com; HP: https://japolac.com/jp
Charity Support: A portion of the funds raised at this event will be donated to a Cuban welfare organization specializing in the education of economically vulnerable people.
Registration: If you wish to participate, registration is required due to limited capacity. Please enter your name, number of people and email address in the following link and choose the payment method: https://forms.gle/kUU2w634msrpaH3j8
COVID-19 Prevention Measures: Participants are required to take their temperature, disinfect their hands and wear a mask at the venue. We also appreciate and ask participants to take their own prevention measures to avoid possible contagion.
Cancellation: The event will be cancelled in case of major disaster or new restriction measures imposed by the government due to COVID-19. JAPOLAC will reimburse half of the admission fee in order to cover anticipated expenses in preparation for the event as well as bank commissions for reimbursement of the fee.
Questions or Queries: Please write to us at: info@japolac.com
We hope you can join us, enjoying food, drink, music and dance, and especially the friendly and relaxed Caribbean atmosphere in order to cheer the human spirit during these complex times.
Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, held a working meeting with H.E. Robert Takata, Ambassador of Dominican Republic, to discuss the possibility of carrying out a cultural promotion event of Dominican Republic in 2023.
Ambassador Takata expressed his thankfulness to Dr. Diaz for JAPOLAC’s initiative to promote the culture of Dominican Republic and conveyed the interest of the Embassy of Dominican Republic to collaborate in the celebration of the event.
Ambassador Takata and Dr. Diaz also exchanged views on the possibility of organizing baseball exchanges for high school students from Dominican Republic.
The meeting was also attended by Mr. Hirokazu Yamaguchi, Managing Director of JAPOLAC.
