Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC held a meeting with Mrs. Roxana Oshiro, Director of the Kobe-based Hyogo Latin Community to explain the objectives and activities of JAPOLAC and explore ways to cooperate to further support the smooth integration of Latin people into Japanese society.

During the meeting, Mrs. Oshiro expressed her gratitude to JAPOLAC in view that the 2021 Christmas Charity Party of the Association was held to raise funds to support the Hyogo Latin Community, which carries out welfare activities on behalf of the Latin community in Japan, including the publication of the free-of-charge magazine Latina-a and radio and TV programs with educational purposes.

Together with Mr. Hirokazu Yamaguchi, Managing Director of JAPOLAC, Dr. Diaz praised Mrs. Oshiro’s social leadership for over 20 years at the helm of the Hyogo Latin Community and reiterated the support of JAPOLAC to further improve life of Latin people in Japan.

The Hyogo Latin Community has also been very active to promote education on natural disasters among the Latin community in view of their experience coping with the 1995 Kobe Earthquake and due to the challenges posed by Climate Change nowadays.

On December 15, 2021, the Board of Directors of JAPOLAC incorporated Mrs. Noemi Inoue, Councilwoman from the District of Sumida, Tokyo, as honorary member of the Association.

Mrs. Noemi Inoue was born in La Paz , Bolivia. She holds a degree in economy from Universidad Mayor de San Andres.

She began her professional career at the Central Bank of Bolivia, and later, worked for the United Nations in La Paz and New York.

In 1995, she moved from New York City to Tokyo, and in 2011, became the first woman of foreign origin to start a political career as Councilwoman of the District of Sumida, Tokyo, which she considers as an “arduous, but rewarding career”.

In 2009, she established the Association of Friendship between Japan and Latin America, serving as director. She also established the Association of Friendship Japan Sumida – Bolivia in 2016.

JAPOLAC grants Honorary Individual Membership to citizens who holds or have held positions of leadership in government, industry, academia and society, showing an excellent personal reputation and integrity as well as professional achievements with a positive impact on society.

On December 4, 2021, JAPOLAC held a Christmas Charity Party to support the welfare activities of the Hyogo Latin Community, which also publishes the Spanish-language, free-of-cost magazine Latina-a.

During the welcoming remarks, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, expressed his gratitude to all participants who attended the party despite the pandemic, and briefly explained the objectives and activities of the Association, introducing the directors and members of JAPOLAC.

H.E. Hector A. Palma, Ambassador of Honduras and President of the Group of Heads of Mission of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), also delivered greeting remarks on behalf of GRULAC, congratulating the Association for its efforts to promote exchanges between Japan and the region of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Other speakers included Mr. Kiyoshi Ejima, Member of the House of Councilors of the Japanese Parliament and Mr. Takahiko Tanimura, Member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, who expressed their thankfulness for the invitation and wished continued success for the Association. Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, Honorary Director of JAPOLAC, and President of Kiyomura Corporation carried out the toast wishing for the health of the Association and all attendants.

The Christmas party counted on the participation of over 160 people, including Ambassadors of Honduras, Ecuador, Cuba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Haiti and the Chargé d’ Affairs of Peru, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Minister Counselor of Mexico.

 

Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC held a meeting with Mr. Tatsuya Hamaguchi, General Manager of Green Business Development Office, and Mr. Yoshitake Naganuma, General Manager of Planning Department of Astomos Energy Corporation with the purpose of explaining the objectives and activities of the Association.

Dr. Díaz indicated that, since June, the Association began contacts with companies and business associations in Japan and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and explained about the energy policies of various countries of Latin America, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Mr. Hamaguchi informed that Astomos Energy is also migrating to carbon-neutral Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in line with the company policy to reduce CO2 emissions.

Dr. Diaz expressed the interest of JAPOLAC to collaborate with Astomos Energy to identify developments in bio-fuels in LAC region. Dr. Diaz was accompanied by Mr. Osamu Masuda, Senior Advisor of JAPOLAC and former chairman of Astomos Energy.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) held a meeting with H.E. Ricardo G. Rojas, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to explain the objectives and activities of the Association.

Ambassador Rojas expressed his thankfulness for the visit and introduction of the Association. He also informed that Chile and Japan will be celebrating 125 years of diplomatic relations next year and would appreciate the support of the Association to disseminate information on this important celebration.

Dr. Diaz reiterated the best disposition of the Association to support the activities of the Embassy of Chile in Japan, and particularly the celebration of 125 years of diplomatic ties with Japan.

The meeting was also attended by Mrs. Martha Zelayandia, Honorary Member of the Association, Mr. Ricardo Gonzalez, Commercial Director and Mr. Neil Butler, Member and Advisor of the Association.