Hashi Duo Concert in Tokyo to Deepen Japan-Costa Rica Friendship

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the Japan-Costa Rica Friendly Concert featuring the excellent performance of Hashi Duo, a musical pair consisting of Japanese pianist Moe Takamatsu and Costa Rican guitarist Adrián Montero. The concert was jointly organized by the Embassy of Costa Rica and the Min-On Concert Association.

The event opened with greetings from the Ambassador of Costa Rica, Alexander Salas, and Min-On President Koji Yamaguchi. The concert was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Japanese personalities, and the general public, who enjoyed the unique combination of musical notes from Japan and Costa Rica.

Ambassador Salas remarked that Hashi Duo represents a true human bridge that helps strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity that have characterized the relationship between Costa Rica and Japan for many years.

“Hashi” means bridge in Japanese, and as its name suggests, these two talented artists seek to create musical bridges, connecting and exploring the differences and similarities between Japanese and Latin American cultures. Hashi Duo also played a song from the Puerto Rican composer Hermelindo Ruiz, who accompanied the pair.

Meeting with The National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Panama

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, held a virtual meeting with Dr. Eduardo Ortega-Barría, National Secretary of The National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT), to gain insights into SENACYT’s initiatives in developing the semiconductor industry in Panama.

Dr. Ortega-Barría highlighted that in 2023, the US government included Panama in a partnership to explore opportunities for growth and diversification of the global semiconductor ecosystem under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (ITSI Fund), created by the CHIPS Act of 2022. This partnership aims to create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain, emphasizing the significant potential for expansion between the United States and Panama.

In response, the government of Panama announced a national strategy for the development and promotion of microelectronics and semiconductor activities. This strategy aims to integrate Panama into the global microelectronics and semiconductor value chain, especially considering Panama’s strategic logistics hub in the Latin America and Caribbean region. It also calls for the training of human resources and the promotion of research and development related to semiconductor manufacturing.

Dr. Diaz explained to Dr. Ortega-Barría that JAPOLAC’s activities focus on facilitating linkages and cooperation with Japanese universities, research centers, government institutions, and companies in various fields. He informed Dr. Ortega-Barría that last year, JAPOLAC coordinated a lecture on semiconductors for the students, professors, and researchers of Panama Technological University, delivered by a professor from the Faculty of Engineering of Chiba University.

Dr. Diaz conveyed JAPOLAC’s strong commitment to advancing linkages between SENACYT and Japanese academia, government, and private sectors to position Panama in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Dinner in Appreciation of the Ambassador of Panama

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, and his wife, Mrs. Ayana Diaz Hatada, hosted a dinner in honor of His Excellency Carlos Pere, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Heurtematte, in recognition of their friendship and support of the association’s activities.

During his tenure, Ambassador Pere supported various JAPOLAC initiatives aimed at strengthening academic cooperation between Panamanian and Japanese universities. Thanks to the support of the Embassy of Panama, a study trip was organized for specialists from the Panamanian Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (INMFRE) to the University of Health and Welfare in Niigata, as well as a practical course in diplomatic communication conducted by a specialist from the Embassy of Panama for students at Utsunomiya University.

Additionally, Ambassador Pere played an active role in the renewal of the academic agreement between the University of Panama and Chiba University, which will facilitate the expansion of academic exchanges in the field of medicine.
He was also actively involved in the establishment of an educational cooperation agreement between Chiba University, the National Secretariat of Science and Technology of Panama (SENACYT) and the Institute for the Training and Development of Human Resources (IFARHU), under which Chiba University will receive postgraduate students in the field of Horticulture.

Another significant achievement of Ambassador Pere was the approval by the Japanese government of visa exemption for Panamanian citizens, which will enable greater exchange of people between the two nations.

The dinner also counted on the distinguished presence of the heads of diplomatic missions from Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Bolivia.

In summary, this dinner reflects JAPOLAC’s profound gratitude towards Ambassador Pere and his wife for their contribution to strengthening the ties between Japan and the Republic of Panama.

Meeting with the Panama Exporters Association

During his visit to Panama in May of this year, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, had the opportunity to participate in a session of the Board of Directors of the Panama Exporters Association. The purpose of this meeting was to present the objectives and activities of JAPOLAC, aimed at supporting the Panamanian export sector in the demanding Japanese market.

Dr. Diaz provided a detailed insight into Japanese consumer behavior, market dynamics, and the characteristics of the import system. He also emphasized the vital importance of government support for Panamanian exporting companies seeking to enter this competitive market.

One of JAPOLAC’s fundamental objectives is to facilitate trade between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on the development and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Presentation of the “Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO) 2023: Investing in Sustainable Development”

By invitation of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the presentation of the “Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO) 2023: Investing in Sustainable Development,” which analyzes critical aspects related to sustainable and inclusive development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The presentation of the LEO was held in the auditorium of the Embassy of Peru in Tokyo and was attended by members of the LAC diplomatic corps, Japanese authorities, corporate sector representatives, and other institutions.

The event began with welcoming remarks from H.E. Roberto Seminario, Ambassador of Peru, followed by H.E. Eduardo Frei, former President of Chile.

The main presentation was delivered by Mr. Sebastian Nieto Parra, Head of the Latin America and the Caribbean Unit at the OECD Development Centre, and Ms. Carolina Camacho, Country Economist at CAF. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Hiroshi Wago Rojas, Director of Global Partnerships at CAF, with participation from panelists from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

Dr. Diaz exchanged greetings with Mr. Hiroshi Wago Rojas, Director of Partnerships at CAF, and conveyed the willingness of JAPOLAC to cooperate with CAF to promote sustainable development projects in the region of LAC. Dr. Diaz also greeted and thanked the Ambassador of Peru for supporting JAPOLAC activities.

The 16th edition of the LEO report highlighted the urgent need for improved investment strategies to promote a more sustainable and inclusive future in the region. The report provides policy recommendations to mobilize and attract investments that help advance a better production model, create quality jobs, and improve citizens’ well-being.

The LEO report is a collaboration of the OECD Development Centre, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the European Commission, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN ECLAC).

The full report is available at: OECD iLibrary.