Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the Patricia Vlieg concert commemorating 120 years of diplomatic relations between Panama and Japan. The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of Panama and the Min-On Concert Association.

The evening commenced with opening remarks by H.E. Carlos Pere, Ambassador of Panama, Mr. Shunichi Tokura, Commissioner of the Japan Cultural Agency, and Mr. Koji Yamaguchi, President of the Min-On Concert Association. The audience included members of the diplomatic corps, prominent Japanese personalities, and the general public, who were captivated by the unique combination of songs from Japan and Panama.

Patricia Vlieg is a distinguished Panamanian music educator, performer, and cultural ambassador, renowned for her multifaceted talents as a singer, pianist, guitarist, composer, arranger, and music researcher.

She has enchanted audiences across Japan with her interpretations of Japanese songs during extensive tours in major cities such as Tokyo, Kobe, Nagoya, and Hamamatsu. Her performances have taken place at prestigious venues including the Okura Hotel, Hotel Gajoen, the Bunka Center, and the Min-On Cultural Center. Her fluency in Japanese and her ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical styles have led to notable collaborations with distinguished Japanese artists.

Patricia Vlieg’s musical artistry transcends borders, creating platforms for intercultural dialogue and fostering a deep appreciation for Panama’s intangible cultural heritage while broadening global understanding of diverse cultural traditions.

Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in peace studies in Japan, further enriching her intellectual contributions to the promotion of cultural understanding and world peace.
 

Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the reception held on the occasion of the official visit to Japan by the First Vice President of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Stephan Brunner Neibig.

In his opening remarks, the First Vice President expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Japan for the invitation, underscoring the visit’s vital role in advancing the shared objectives of the bilateral agenda. Representing the Japanese government, H.E. Yoshifumi Tsuge, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, welcomed First Vice President, affirming the deep and enduring ties between Japan and Costa Rica, while highlighting the significance of this visit.

Dr. Díaz conveyed his sincere appreciation to the Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Alexander Salas, for the kind invitation to the reception and extended his best wishes for the success of the official mission to Japan.

During the event, Dr. Díaz had the opportunity to exchange greetings with the First Vice President and distinguished members of the delegation, including H.E. Dr. Arnoldo André, Minister of Foreign Relations and Worship; H.E. Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica; and Mrs. Laura López, General Manager of the Foreign Trade Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).

The following day, Dr. Díaz attended a business luncheon organized by the Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica and PROCOMER, addressed to the Japanese business community.

The First Vice President’s visit also included the signing of memoranda of cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan. Additionally, the First Vice President and his delegation participated in the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima, where they paid solemn tribute to the victims of the atomic bombings.
 

Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, had the honor of attending Ecuador’s Independence Day celebration.

The reception commenced with welcoming and opening remarks by H.E. Cesar Montaño, Ambassador of Ecuador, and H.E. Yoshifumi Tsuge, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. Both highlighted the strengthening of relations between Ecuador and Japan across various fields.

During the event, Dr. Díaz extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to Ambassador Montaño, reaffirming JAPOLAC’s commitment to supporting the promotional efforts carried out by the Ecuadorian diplomatic mission in Japan.

The reception was further enlivened by a vibrant showcase of traditional Ecuadorian music, dance, and an exhibition of Ecuadorian products, including chocolate and the renowned Ecuadorian hat made of fine toquilla straw.

The event counted on the presence of distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, Japanese authorities, and prominent figures from the Japanese community.

One of JAPOLAC’s key objectives is to support the work of Latin American and Caribbean embassies, including the Embassy of Ecuador, which is an honorary member of JAPOLAC.
 

At the invitation of the Ambassador of Costa Rica in Japan, H.E. Alexander Salas, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in a solemn religious ceremony to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Virgin of the Angels, Patroness of Costa Rica, held at the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature in Tokyo, Japan.

The religious ceremony was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio and Ambassador of the Vatican to Japan, Monsignor Francisco Escalante Molina, who bestowed a blessing upon an image of “La Negrita,” as the Virgin of the Angels is affectionately known by the faithful.

The Virgin of the Angels, also known as “La Negrita,” was declared the Patroness of Costa Rica in 1824. The dedication occurred after the miraculous discovery of the small statue of the Virgin by a young girl named Juana Pereira on August 2, 1635, near Cartago. The statue repeatedly returned to its original location after being moved, which was interpreted as a sign that a shrine should be built there.

Following this event, devotion to La Negrita grew significantly among the people of Costa Rica. In 1824, the first president of Costa Rica, Juan Mora Fernández, officially declared the Virgin of the Angels as the Patroness of Costa Rica, further solidifying her importance in the religious and cultural identity of the nation.

The event was graced by the devout participation of Japanese citizens, members of the Catholic communities of Mizonokuchi in Kawasaki City and Tsuzuki in Yokohama City, who offered prayers and sang the hymn in honor of the Virgin of the Angels.

Dr. Díaz expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Salas for the kind invitation and took the opportunity to greet and welcome the new Ambassador of the Vatican, affirming JAPOLAC’s strong commitment to collaborating in the activities of the Apostolic Nunciature.