The Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) took part in the official ceremony commemorating the 204th anniversary of the Independence of Central America, held on September 12, 2025, at the International House of Japan in Tokyo.
The event was jointly organized by the diplomatic missions of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and was attended by senior officials of the Government of Japan, members of the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and representatives of the private sector.
The Ambassador of Guatemala to Japan, H.E. Mr. Manuel Estuardo Roldán, delivered remarks on behalf of the Central American heads of mission, highlighting progress achieved in cooperation, trade, tourism, and political relations with Japan.
Representing the Government of Japan, the Minister of State for International Affairs, Mr. Hisayuki Fujii, conveyed a message of congratulations to the five nations and emphasized the significance of the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Central America.
Representing JAPOLAC, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director, and Mr. Neil Butler, Senior Director, attended the ceremony. Dr. Díaz expressed his warmest congratulations to the ambassadors of the Central American countries, underscoring the historic friendship between Japan and the region. He also reiterated JAPOLAC’s strong commitment to supporting the activities of Central American diplomatic missions, with the goal of enhancing the region’s visibility in Japan.
On September 18, the Embassy of Chile in Japan hosted the Commemorative Ceremony of the 215th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Chile, bringing together Japanese government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Chilean community, and friends of Chile.
In his official remarks, the Ambassador of Chile to Japan emphasized that Chile’s National Day is an opportunity to reaffirm the core values shared by both nations—democracy, human rights, sustainable development, and the promotion of international peace. He further noted that 2025 marks an especially dynamic moment in Chile–Japan relations, highlighting a joint path toward prosperity and development built through deeper political dialogue, economic cooperation, and collaboration in science, technology, and innovation.
Among the distinguished guests was Mr. Hisashi Matsumoto, Viceminisrter for Foregin Affairs of Japan, who delivered congratulatory remarks to the Government and people of Chile. He underscored the enduring strength of the bilateral partnership and Chile’s importance as a strategic ally for Japan in Latin America.
This year’s celebration took place amid renewed and active engagement between the two countries, following the official visit of the President of Chile to Japan in May 2025, which strengthened cooperation in energy, natural resources, the digital economy, and food security. The visit also advanced coordination within multilateral frameworks such as APEC, the CPTPP, and joint initiatives supporting the energy transition and technological innovation.
Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, attended the ceremony at the invitation of the Embassy of Chile, conveying his warm congratulations to the Ambassador and reaffirming JAPOLAC’s commitment to supporting the activities of the Chilean diplomatic mission in Japan.
This year, JAPOLAC, in partnership with Kura Sushi, organized a tasting event of Chilean erizo at the Embassy of Chile—an initiative designed to promote Latin American and Caribbean cuisine at the Kura Sushi Pavilion during Expo Osaka 2025. As part of this effort, Chilean erizo was offered to visitors during the Expo, showcasing one of Chile’s emblematic culinary products.
H.E. José Raúl Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama, paid an official visit to Japan from 2 to 7 September 2025 in order to participate in Panama’s National Day at Expo Osaka 2025 and to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural ties between Panama and Japan.
As part of his official agenda, President Mulino held a bilateral summit with the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shigeru Ishiba, during which both leaders reaffirmed the close friendship that unites the two countries. The meeting emphasized the importance of the Panama Canal as a fundamental pillar of global maritime trade and as an essential route for Japan’s energy security, given that Japan is one of its principal users. Prime Minister Ishiba recognized Panama’s role in promoting a free, safe, and rules-based maritime order, while President Mulino reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening the Canal’s operational capacity and logistic diversification for the benefit of the international community.
In the context of the visit, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, Dr. Ritter Díaz, had the honor of participating in a solemn ceremony during which President Mulino decorated Mr. Seishiro Eto, former member of the Diet and former President of the Japan–Panama Parliamentary League, who received the Order of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Grand Cross Grade, in recognition of his decisive role in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries. President Mulino also decorated Mr. Nobuyuki Wada, a distinguished figure in Japan’s maritime sector, with the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero, for his invaluable contribution to promoting the Panamanian ship registry in Japan.
Dr. Díaz also participated in the Panama–Japan Investment and Business Opportunities Seminar, organized by JETRO in Tokyo, where President Mulino delivered the opening address and the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó, presented Panama’s economic outlook to more than 150 Japanese business leaders. The minister highlighted Panama’s role as a logistics and financial platform for the Americas, as well as the special regimes that facilitate foreign investment. He also underscored infrastructure and energy projects open to international participation and the new opportunities arising from Panama’s accession to the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).
President Mulino’s visit additionally included a Maritime Seminar in Tokyo, organized by the Panama Maritime Authority and the Embassy of Panama in Japan. At this event, President Mulino delivered an inaugural message highlighting the strategic importance of the Panamanian Ship Registry for Japan’s maritime sector. In parallel, the Panama Canal Authority presented progress on the Gas Pipeline Project, a far-reaching initiative aimed at diversifying the Canal’s revenue streams, expanding its portfolio of logistical services, and strengthening Panama’s competitiveness in the face of emerging global trade demands.
On 6 September, Dr. Díaz took part in the celebration of Panama’s National Day at Expo Osaka 2025, an official ceremony held at the “Ray Garden,” where Panamanian cultural expressions were showcased and Panama reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and international cooperation.
Following the National Day ceremony, Dr. Díaz was also invited by the Expo Osaka 2025 Secretariat to attend the official luncheon offered in honor of H.E. José Raúl Mulino, an occasion during which Japanese and Panamanian authorities exchanged views on the continued strengthening of the excellent relations between the two nations.
The participation of Dr. Ritter Díaz in these official events reaffirms JAPOLAC’s commitment to actively supporting the reinforcement of relations between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as to promoting initiatives that enhance connectivity, trade, culture, and international cooperation.
Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), held a meeting with a delegation from Colombia’s National Service of Learning, known as SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje), to explore future avenues of collaboration to strengthen technical education and workforce development of Colombia.
Dr. Díaz welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of JAPOLAC’s mission and key initiatives, highlighting the JAPOLAC Online Programs designed to offer Japanese students practical, region-focused courses on Latin America and the Caribbean. These programs are currently being implemented in partnership with Chiba University (Japan), the Technological University of Panama (UTP), the University of Technology of Jamaica (UTech), and the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH).
During the meeting, SENA representatives presented the institution’s education and training programs, emphasizing its role in providing vocational and technological training to Colombian citizens in support of the country’s socio-economic development.
Dr. Díaz reaffirmed JAPOLAC’s commitment to promoting “practical education for life,” ensuring that students and professionals in Japan and across Latin America and the Caribbean receive practical, job-oriented training that enables them to contribute meaningfully to society. Both organizations agreed to continue the dialogue and assess concrete areas of cooperation aligned with their shared goals of human development and skills learning.
Dr. Diaz was accompanied by directors of JAPOLAC, including Mr. Ajoy Sinha Roy, Mr. Neil Butler and Mr. Fredy Armijos.
About SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje)
SENA is Colombia’s leading public institution for vocational and technical education, operating under the Ministry of Labor. It offers training programs free of charge and prepares millions of Colombians each year to join the workforce, improve their employability, and develop entrepreneurial skills.
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. Octávio Henrique Dias Garcia Côrtes, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
During the meeting, Dr. Diaz provided an overview of JAPOLAC’s mission and current initiatives, emphasizing 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 Brazil, and mentioned, as an example, 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 initiative, the Brazlian dish pão de queijo (cheese bread) was offered to visitors during the Expo, showcasing a well-known dish of the country.
Dr. Diaz also reiterated his support for Ambassador Côrtes’ diplomatic mission, stressing that JAPOLAC serves as an additional platform to promote the Embassy’s initiatives and provide valuable information related to political, economic, social, and international developments in Japan.
Ambassador Côrtes welcomed the visit and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about JAPOLAC and its efforts to strengthen relations between Japan and Latin America and the Caribbean. He also shared his perspectives on the importance of Brazil–Japan diplomatic ties.
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 its contributions to Japanese society.
Dr. Diaz was accompanied by JAPOLAC Directors Mr. Ajoy Sinha Roy and Mr. Fredy Armijos.
