At a meeting held on January 10, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), formally received the notification of the incorporation of the Embassy of Honduras in Japan as an Honorary Member of JAPOLAC. This notification was delivered by the Honduran Ambassador, H.E. Harold Burgos, during a meeting at the premises of the Honduran diplomatic mission.

The inclusion of the Embassy of Honduras as an Honorary Member of JAPOLAC marks a significant step in strengthening ties between JAPOLAC and the embassies of Latin America and the Caribbean. This event reaffirms JAPOLAC’s steadfast commitment to serving as a bridge connecting the cultures and economies of both regions, promoting mutual understanding and fostering cooperation across various areas of common interest.

In this context, Dr. Diaz expressed his deep gratitude to the Ambassador of Honduras for the trust placed in JAPOLAC, emphasizing that this distinction represents recognition of the association’s continuous efforts to enhance the region’s visibility and support the work of Latin American and Caribbean diplomatic missions in Japan.

With the incorporation of the Embassy of Honduras, JAPOLAC further strengthens its profile as an important platform for information, communication, and networking between Japan and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

During the meeting, Dr. Diaz also reaffirmed JAPOLAC’s commitment to continue working closely with the region’s diplomatic missions, developing initiatives that generate positive impacts and support the development of both regions.

With the inclusion of Honduras, JAPOLAC now has 12 diplomatic missions as honorary members, further enhancing its capacity for action and representation.

The Japanese Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) warmly welcomed its directors and members to its annual New Year gathering. The event, presided over by Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, served as an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of 2024 and share a roadmap for 2025. Dr. Diaz expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all directors and members for their support and dedication to JAPOLAC’s mission of fostering connections and collaboration between Japan and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dr. Diaz highlighted several important initiatives from 2024, including the successful launch of an online academic program between Chiba University and the University of Santiago, Chile. He also underscored JAPOLAC’s collaboration with Kura Sushi to introduce Latin American and Caribbean culinary delights at Expo Osaka 2025—a testament to the vibrant cultural exchange JAPOLAC champions. Furthermore, he announced the incorporation of the Embassy of Honduras as a new honorary member of JAPOLAC, marking another milestone in strengthening ties with the region’s diplomatic missions.

Building on the successes of the past year, Dr. Diaz explain the activities for 2025. In this regard, he announced the preparation for the First Ecuador Cultural Festival, set to take place in June, which will celebrate Ecuador’s rich gastronomy, music, dance, tourism, and products. He also shared plans for a series of diplomatic lectures at Chiba University, featuring presentations by the embassies of Ecuador, Cuba, and Guatemala in April and May, further enriching academic and cultural dialogues.

On December 10, Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, and Mr. Fredy Armijo, President of the Ecuadorian Association in Japan (SEKIDO), held a preparatory meeting with His Excellency César Montaño, Ambassador of Ecuador to Japan, and his team.

The discussion centered on the planning and coordination of the first Ecuador Cultural Festival in Japan, titled “The Country of the Four Worlds: Rhythms of the Andes.” Scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Tokyo, this landmark event will celebrate Ecuadorian culture with the support of SEKIDO and the collaboration of the Embassy of Ecuador in Japan.

This festival marks JAPOLAC’s fourth cultural event and serves as a tribute to Ecuador’s vibrant heritage and natural wonders. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Ecuadorian gastronomy, traditional music and dance, tourism, and an array of products that showcase the nation’s rich traditions and multifaceted identity.

Ecuador is celebrated as the “Country of the Four Worlds” for its extraordinary geographical diversity, spanning the lush Amazon Rainforest, the majestic Andes Mountains, the picturesque Pacific Coast, and the pristine Galápagos Islands. The festival aspires to bring this remarkable diversity closer to the Japanese public, fostering a deeper appreciation of Ecuador’s unique cultural and natural treasures.

During the meeting, His Excellency Ambassador Montaño expressed his gratitude to JAPOLAC and SEKIDO for their dedication to organizing this significant cultural initiative. He reaffirmed the Embassy’s unwavering support for the festival, highlighting its vital role in strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between Ecuadorian and Japanese citizens.

The Ecuador Cultural Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of cross-cultural exchange, exemplifying the enduring ties between Ecuador and Japan.

Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, had the honor of attending the commemorative reception for the 199th Anniversary of the Independence of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, as well as the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Japanese immigration to the Andean country.

The reception began with welcoming and opening remarks by H.E. Yoshifumi Tsuge, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mrs. Natalia Salazar Balderrama, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Bolivia, who highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties that unite Bolivia and Japan.

During the event, Dr. Díaz conveyed his most sincere greetings and congratulations to Mrs. Salazar Balderrama, reaffirming JAPOLAC’s strong commitment to supporting the promotional work carried out by the Bolivian diplomatic mission in Japan.

The reception was enriched by the photographic exhibition “Discover Bolivia” by Akira Matsui, as well as a vibrant presentation of traditional Bolivian dance.
The event was graced by the distinguished presence of members of the diplomatic corps, local authorities, and prominent personalities of the Japanese community.

One of JAPOLAC’s objectives is to support the work of the embassies of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to increase the visibility of LAC countries in Japan.

 

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, held a virtual meeting with Dr. Eduardo Ortega-Barría, National Secretary of The National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT), to gain insights into SENACYT’s initiatives in developing the semiconductor industry in Panama.

Dr. Ortega-Barría highlighted that in 2023, the US government included Panama in a partnership to explore opportunities for growth and diversification of the global semiconductor ecosystem under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (ITSI Fund), created by the CHIPS Act of 2022. This partnership aims to create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain, emphasizing the significant potential for expansion between the United States and Panama.

In response, the government of Panama announced a national strategy for the development and promotion of microelectronics and semiconductor activities. This strategy aims to integrate Panama into the global microelectronics and semiconductor value chain, especially considering Panama’s strategic logistics hub in the Latin America and Caribbean region. It also calls for the training of human resources and the promotion of research and development related to semiconductor manufacturing.

Dr. Diaz explained to Dr. Ortega-Barría that JAPOLAC’s activities focus on facilitating linkages and cooperation with Japanese universities, research centers, government institutions, and companies in various fields. He informed Dr. Ortega-Barría that last year, JAPOLAC coordinated a lecture on semiconductors for the students, professors, and researchers of Panama Technological University, delivered by a professor from the Faculty of Engineering of Chiba University.

Dr. Diaz conveyed JAPOLAC’s strong commitment to advancing linkages between SENACYT and Japanese academia, government, and private sectors to position Panama in the global semiconductor supply chain.