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.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), together with Mrs. Martha Zelayandia, former Ambassador of El Salvador, held a virtual meeting with representatives of Niigata University of Health and Welfare to explain the objectives and activities of the Association.

The Niigata University of Health and Welfare was represented by Dr. Masayoshi Kubo, Director of the International Exchange Center, and Mrs. Noriko Akiho-Toyoda, Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Social Welfare.

During the meeting, Dr. Kubo conveyed the interest of Niigata University of Health and Welfare to expand exchanges with universities and institutions of LAC in the area of caregiving and interprofessional education.

Dr. Diaz expressed his gratitude to Dr. Kubo for the meeting and reiterated the interest of JAPOLAC to cooperate with the Niigata University of Health and Welfare to expand academic ties with LAC universities.