The Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) organized a business meeting to introduce cocoa from Forest Finance, an international forest-conservation company operating in Panama to  produce high quality organic cocoa for the European markets.

One of the activities of JAPOLAC is the promotion of small and medium size companies from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries interested in the Japanese market. JAPOLAC also collaborate with large and international companies interested in expanding trade between Japan and LAC countries.

Through business facilitation, and in collaboration with government trade agencies and business associations, JAPOLAC identifies, evaluate, select and recommend companies in the LAC region with high quality products for the Japanese market.

JAPOLAC also promotes small and medium size Japanese companies interested in selling products in LAC countries.

The Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) organized a business meeting to introduce hot sauces manufactured by Productos Lux, S.A., a Panama company with more than 50-years producing high quality hot sauces for the Panamanian, Central American, Caribbean and US markets.

One of the activities of JAPOLAC is the promotion of small and medium size companies from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries interested in the Japanese market. Through business facilitation, JAPOLAC identifies, evaluate, select and recommend LAC companies with high quality products for the Japanese market.

JAPOLAC also promotes small and medium size Japanese companies interested in selling products in LAC countries.

 

The Japanese Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) organized a virtual meeting in order to promote academic exchanges between the School of Medicine of Chiba University and the School of Medicine of the University of Panama.

Participants from the University of Panama’s Medicine School included Dr. Oris Lam de Calvo, Dean of the School, Dr. Marcos Young, Vice Dean, Dr. Americo Lombardo, Director of the School, Dr. Lilibeth Castillero, Coordinator of International Student Exchange, and Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Advisor of the School of Medicine.

Chiba University counted on the participation of Dr. Shoichi Ito and Dr. Eiji Shimizu, Professors of the Graduate School of Medicine, Mr. Kiyoshi Takao, Deputy Director of International Affairs, Ms. Takako Toda, Head of the International Students Division, Mr. Hiroshi Sodeyama, Deputy Chief of the International Students Division, and Ms. Satoko Jumi, Head of the International Affairs Department.

Both parties carried out a general presentation of their universities and academic programs, with a view to exploring the academic and research areas that can provide added value to their students.

JAPOLAC counted on the participation of Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of the Association and Ms. Martha Zelayandía, former Ambassador of El Salvador in Japan and Honorary Member of JAPOLAC, in charge of international exchange programs.

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

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.