On August 10, 2022, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), participated at the National Day of the Republic of Ecuador at the official residence of the Embassy of Ecuador.

On behalf of JAPOLAC, Dr. Diaz conveyed his congratulations to H.E. Cesar Montaño, expressing his wishes of health and prosperity for the Ecuadorian people.

 

JAPOLAC organized an online meeting between Chiba University and the University of Technology, Jamaica to discuss the content of online courses on Jamaica energy and Jamaica ecology and climate change.

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

After two years of social restrictions due to the pandemic, JAPOLAC held the first cultural event called Latin America and Caribbean Tapas Party on May 14, 2022 at Sumida Industry Hall.

The event showcased a variety of tapas (light dishes) from various Latin American and Caribbean countries such as choripan (Argentina), coixinha (Brazil), cold Cuban salad (Cuba), Tamalitos de Yuca con Pescado (Colombia), Pastelitos Redondos de Pollo (Dominican Republic), quesadillas (Mexico), carimañola (Panama), causa (Peru), arepas (Venezuela/Colombia) and empanadas, shared by the countries of the region with their respective national tastes.

The word tapas in Spanish refers to light dishes served and eaten in the company of friends, family, coworkers or any other acquaintances. Through this type of social gathering, JAPOLAC is seeking to create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere to deepen and strengthen human bonds between Japanese and Latin America and Caribbean people.

The event also included professional dance teachers, who carried out dance demonstration of tango, salsa, merengue and bachata and taught basic steps of each musical gender to participants.

During the event, JAPOLAC also hosted a drawings exhibition of the Florian Paucke Foundation depicting the life of native people as well as the fauna and flora of Argentina in the XVIII (18th) century, and which is considered a historical and cultural treasure of colonial times.

Over 150 people attended the tapas party, including Mr. Toru Yamamoto, mayor of Sumida district, Mrs. Noemi Inoue, assemblywoman of Sumida district, ambassadors of Costa Rica, Cuba, Peru, and representatives of the embassies of Argentina, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.

Part of the funds raised at the event were donated to the Florian Paucke Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to support musical training for children experiencing economic difficulties in Argentina.

 

Greetings from JAPOLAC, local authorities and toast with diplomatic representatives.

 

 

Sponsor/Vendor

 

Participant

 

Tapas/Light Dishes

 

Dance

 

Exhibition

 

(LAC TAPAS PARTY)
After two years of social restrictions due to the pandemic, let’s restart our social life with a Latin America and Caribbean Tapas Party to enjoy selected light dishes (tapas) from different countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

We invite Japanese and non-Japanese people to experience a relaxed and interactive Latin atmosphere with light food, drinks, music and dance.Professional dance teachers will carry out dance demonstration of tango, salsa, merengue and bachata as well as teach basic steps of each musical gender. Dancing is food for the human spirit and healthy physical exercise for the body.

It will be a good occasion to meet and share with Embassy representatives from the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and learn a bit of colonial history from South America through the Florian Paucke’s drawings exhibition, depicting the life of native people as well as the fauna and flora of the region in the XVIII (18th) century.

There will be also product exhibition tables where participants can view and purchase various Latin American and Caribbean products.

Excess revenue from this event will be donated to the Florian Paucke Foundation, a charity organization dedicated to support musical training for children experiencing economic difficulties.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Door opens at 11:00 a.m.
Venue: Sumida Industry Hall, 8F, Marui Joint Development Building.
Address: 3-9-10 Kotoubashi, Sumida-Ku, Tokyo.
It is a one-mimute walk across from Kinshicho Station, South Exit.

Number of Participants: 250.

Entrance Fee: For adults, 3,500 yen advance payment by bank transfer; 4,000 yen at the door. For Junior and High School students, 1,500 yen advance payment; 2,000 yen at the door. For Elementary School children is free of charge, except consumption of tapas and drinks.
The entrance fee includes tickets to consume tapas and drinks, musical entertainment, basic dance lessons for beginners in the musical gender of tango, salsa, merengue and bachata, as well as viewing of the drawings exhibition.

Organizer: Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC).
Supported by: Embassies of Cuba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru.
Corporate Support: Kiyomura Corporation (Sushi Zanmai), Belucci International, Kyodai and Japan Partnership Holdings).
Payment method: Payment at the door by CASH, PAYPAY, PASMO and SUICA.

Advanced payment by bank transfer to:
Bank Name: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Tsukiji Branch 625
Account Name: Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean
Account Number: 7614048
Deadline for advance payment: Monday, May 9, 2022.
Please, include bank fee, when making the advance payment.
For advanced payments, please present bank voucher at the reception desk on the day of the event.
A refund will be carried out in case of cancellation of the event.
The refund will not apply to no-shows.
Bank fees will be deducted from the refund.
Party Format: Standing style with tables placed at designated areas.
Dress Code: Smart Casual.

Cancellation of event: The event will be cancelled in case of restrictive measures imposed due to new COVID-19 outbreak or any other force majeure situation.