The Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) organized a business meeting to introduce hot sauces manufactured by Productos Lux, S.A., a Panama company with more than 50-years producing high quality hot sauces for the Panamanian, Central American, Caribbean and US markets.

One of the activities of JAPOLAC is the promotion of small and medium size companies from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries interested in the Japanese market. Through business facilitation, JAPOLAC identifies, evaluate, select and recommend LAC companies with high quality products for the Japanese market.

JAPOLAC also promotes small and medium size Japanese companies interested in selling products in LAC countries.

 

The Japanese Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) organized a virtual meeting in order to promote academic exchanges between the School of Medicine of Chiba University and the School of Medicine of the University of Panama.

Participants from the University of Panama’s Medicine School included Dr. Oris Lam de Calvo, Dean of the School, Dr. Marcos Young, Vice Dean, Dr. Americo Lombardo, Director of the School, Dr. Lilibeth Castillero, Coordinator of International Student Exchange, and Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Advisor of the School of Medicine.

Chiba University counted on the participation of Dr. Shoichi Ito and Dr. Eiji Shimizu, Professors of the Graduate School of Medicine, Mr. Kiyoshi Takao, Deputy Director of International Affairs, Ms. Takako Toda, Head of the International Students Division, Mr. Hiroshi Sodeyama, Deputy Chief of the International Students Division, and Ms. Satoko Jumi, Head of the International Affairs Department.

Both parties carried out a general presentation of their universities and academic programs, with a view to exploring the academic and research areas that can provide added value to their students.

JAPOLAC counted on the participation of Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of the Association and Ms. Martha Zelayandía, former Ambassador of El Salvador in Japan and Honorary Member of JAPOLAC, in charge of international exchange programs.

One of the objectives of JAPOLAC is the promotion of academic exchanges between Japanese and Latin American and Caribbean universities, as well as the creation of an academic and research network between Japan and LAC.

On December 4, 2021, JAPOLAC held a Christmas Charity Party to support the welfare activities of the Hyogo Latin Community, which also publishes the Spanish-language, free-of-cost magazine Latina-a.

During the welcoming remarks, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, expressed his gratitude to all participants who attended the party despite the pandemic, and briefly explained the objectives and activities of the Association, introducing the directors and members of JAPOLAC.

H.E. Hector A. Palma, Ambassador of Honduras and President of the Group of Heads of Mission of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), also delivered greeting remarks on behalf of GRULAC, congratulating the Association for its efforts to promote exchanges between Japan and the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Other speakers included Mr. Kiyoshi Ejima, Member of the House of Councilors of the Japanese Parliament and Mr. Takahiko Tanimura, Member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, who expressed their thankfulness for the invitation and wished continued success for the Association. Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, Honorary Director of JAPOLAC, and President of Kiyomura Corporation carried out the toast wishing for the health of the Association and all attendants.

The Christmas party counted on the participation of over 160 people, including Ambassadors of Honduras, Ecuador, Cuba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Haiti and the Chargé d’ Affairs of Peru, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Minister Counselor of Mexico.

 

Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC held a meeting with Mr. Tatsuya Hamaguchi, General Manager of Green Business Development Office, and Mr. Yoshitake Naganuma, General Manager of Planning Department of Astomos Energy Corporation with the purpose of explaining the objectives and activities of the Association.

Dr. Díaz indicated that, since June, the Association began contacts with companies and business associations in Japan and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and explained about the energy policies of various countries of Latin America, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Mr. Hamaguchi informed that Astomos Energy is also migrating to carbon-neutral Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in line with the company policy to reduce CO2 emissions.

Dr. Diaz expressed the interest of JAPOLAC to collaborate with Astomos Energy to identify developments in bio-fuels in LAC region. Dr. Diaz was accompanied by Mr. Osamu Masuda, Senior Advisor of JAPOLAC and former chairman of Astomos Energy.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) held a meeting with H.E. Ricardo G. Rojas, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to explain the objectives and activities of the Association.

Ambassador Rojas expressed his thankfulness for the visit and introduction of the Association. He also informed that Chile and Japan will be celebrating 125 years of diplomatic relations next year and would appreciate the support of the Association to disseminate information on this important celebration.

Dr. Diaz reiterated the best disposition of the Association to support the activities of the Embassy of Chile in Japan, and particularly the celebration of 125 years of diplomatic ties with Japan.

The meeting was also attended by Mrs. Martha Zelayandia, Honorary Member of the Association, Mr. Ricardo Gonzalez, Commercial Director and Mr. Neil Butler, Member and Advisor of the Association.