Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in an online preparatory meeting for lecturers and students of the International Career Seminar (ICS) organized by Utsunomiya University.

The primary objective of the ICS is to provide students with a comprehensive global perspective to pursue international careers, focusing on essential concepts such as “Globalization” and “Glocalization.” These concepts highlight the increasing importance of global issues within local communities.

The ICS is a three-day seminar conducted in English, covering subjects such as International Business, International Cooperation, Multi-cultural Society and Japan, and Cross-cultural Understanding/Communication. The use of English as the primary medium of instruction offers students a unique opportunity to engage in international discussions with foreign professors, lecturers, and peers, exposing them to international communication.

The seminar features lectures by professors from Utsunomiya University and guest lecturers with extensive global experience in higher education, international business, and other related fields.

In addition to Utsunomiya University, this year’s ICS includes participation from students of Universiti Malaysia, Sarawak, Unimas, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Thammasat University of Thailand.

It is worth noting that this is the third year that the Director of JAPOLAC has been invited to deliver a lecture on International Business from the perspective of commercial diplomacy.

The Japanese Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) recently hosted a virtual meeting to foster academic exchanges between the medical schools of Chiba University and Panama University.

During the meeting, professors from both institutions showcased their academic programs in immunology and explored opportunities for faculty, researcher, and student exchanges.

Chiba University representatives highlighted their partnership with the Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccine Development at the University of California, San Diego, which organizes annual conferences for immunology specialists. They also announced the addition of a specialist from the National Institute for Infectious Disease of Japan to further strengthen their immunology department.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC and the meeting’s moderator, highlighted the recent establishment of a regional office by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Panama, aimed at managing health security across Central America and the Caribbean. This development, he emphasized, makes the timing for academic cooperation between both medical schools particularly opportune.

JAPOLAC aims to promote academic exchanges and build a robust academic and research network between Japanese and Latin American and Caribbean universities. This meeting marks a new step toward achieving that goal.

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.

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.

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.