On April 12th, 2013 Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, Wife of the Ambassador of Panama in Japan, participated in the charity lunch organized by the Japan-Latin American and Caribbean Ladies’ Association.

The lunch was held in honor of Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi, who is the Honorary President of this Association. Also, the lunch counted on the distinguished presence of Mrs. Akie Abe, Wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

All attendees enjoyed the Latin-American and Caribbean typical dishes, as well as cultural activities which were presented during the event. They were also able to have a closer exchange with Princess Hitachi, further deepening good ties between the Imperial Household and the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Latin-American and Caribbean typical dishes.

At the center, Mrs. Akie Abe, Wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and second from her right, Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, Wife of the Ambassador of Panama in Japan.

On April 24th, 2013, Ambassador of Panama to Japan H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki received a courtesy visit from the representatives of NYK Line, Mitsui OSK Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, LTD., and the Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA).

During the meeting, the representatives of the shipping industry introduced Mr. Ryoichi Oda, new chairman of the International Committee of JSA. Mr. Oda also serves as Deputy General Manager of NYK Line.

The meeting also offered a good oportunity to exchange views on the Panama Canal expansion project and the fees for the users of the waterway.

On April 18th, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, the Ambassador of Panama to Japan participated in a meeting with H.E. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. The meeting was held with the purpose of informing officially about Minister Kishida’s visit to Panama in early May.

Minister Kishida also explained that his trip was aimed at strengthening the cooperation and to expand the trade and the investment with Latin America and Caribbean countries.

Ambassador Kosmas informed Minister Kishida that the Panamanian government was very honored to receive such an important visit, pointing out that Panama represented the gateway for Japanese companies to advance their presence in the Latin America and the Caribbean market. Ambassador Kosmas also emphasized the privileged geographical position which has transformed Panama into the main logistic platform, with the best air and maritime hub of the region.

From left to right, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Fumio Kishida and the Ambassador of Panama to Japan H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki. .

On April 18th, 2013, H. E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan and his wife, Ileana de la Guardia, attended a Garden Party by the invitation of Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The event was held at the Akasaka Imperial Garden with the purpose to deepen relations between the Imperial Family and the diplomatic corps in Japan.

Ambassador Kosmas took the opportunity to greet the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shinzo Abe, thanking the government of Japan for the next visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Fumio Kishida, in order to further expand the good ties between Japan and Panama.

From left to right, the Prime Minister H.E. Shinzo Abe and the Ambassador of Panama to Japan H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki.

From April 14th to 20th, 2013, Eng. Alfonso Castillero, General Director of Merchant Marine of Panama Maritime Authority paid an official visit to Japan with the purpose of informimg the Japanese authorities about improvement in Panama shipping registry, as well as to listening to the concerns of shipowners.

Eng. Alfonso Castillero, accompanied by H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama and General Consul of Panama in Tokyo, held a meeting with Japanese companies such as NYK line, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, LTD., Mitsui O.S.K Line, MITSUI-SOKO CO., LTD. and Mitsubishi Logistic Corporation. Eng. Castillero also had a meeting with the Japanese Shipowners’ Association.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange opinions with the Japanese maritime sector, furhter strengthening the maritime ties between Panama and Japan.

At the center, Eng. Alfonso Castillero, General Director of Merchant Marine of Panama Maritime Authority. To his left, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador and General Consul of Panama to Japan, with the representatives of MITSUI-SOKO CO., LTD.

During the meeting, with representatives of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association.

On April 10th, 2013, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, received a courtesy visit from Manuel Alcides Acosta, Panamanian professional baseball player better known as “Manny Acosta”.

Since December 2012, Manny Acosta is playing for the Yomiuri Giants of Tokyo, one of the most important professional teams in Japan.

Ambassador Kosmas congratulated the Panamanian player for his incorporation into such an important team, wishing a lot of success in the coming games, which will certainly contribute to enhance the image and knowledge of Panama in Japan.

From left to right, Mr. Manuel Alcides Acosta and H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan.

On March 18th, 2013, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, paid a courtesy visit to the representatives of HAKUYO SHIPPING CO., LTD.

HAKUYO SHIPPING CO., LTD. is a Japanese maritime company located in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, providing services such as shipping of cargo, automobiles and combustible, among others.

During the visit, Ambassador Kosmas exchanged views with company representatives in regard to the situation facing the global maritime industry and how the Panama Registry intends to help Japanese companies in such a difficult time.

Also, Ambassador Kosmas explained about different incentives offered by the Republic of Panama to the Japanese shipping community.

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan (center) with representatives of HAKUYO SHIPPING CO., LTD

On February 21st, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama in Japan and Mr. Ritter Diaz, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Panama held a meeting with representatives of Zensho Holdings Co., LTD a major Japanese food company.

Zensho representatives visited the Embassy in order to obtain information of the business conditions in Panama.

Ambassador Kosmas provided general information about the country, explaining the high performance of our economy as well as the various advantages of foreign companies to do business in Panama.

At the center, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama in Japan together with representatives of Zensho Holdings.

With the support of the Panama Maritime Authority, the Embassy of Panama and the Consulates General of Panama in Tokyo and Kobe, organized a seminar titled “Maritime Labor Convention – MLC2006” on February 15th at the port city of Imabari, which has a sistership relationship with Panama city.

The seminar, which was also held in Tokyo on February 18th, aimed at informing the Japanese shipowners about the general procedure for the implementation of the Maritime Labor Convention.

The seminar was successful, achieving a fruitful exchange of opinion between the shipowners and the Consulate officials as well as representatives of the Panama Maritime Authority in regard to maritime services provided by our country.

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama in Japan delivering the opening remarks at the seminar.

Participants in the MLC seminar in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture.

Participants in the MLC seminar in Tokyo

On February 8th, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama in Japan, together with his wife Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas visited the Latin American Museum of Bizen to learn about archaeological pieces from Latin American countries including Panama, which are exhibited in the museum.

Ambassador Kosmas and his wife were invited by Mr. Yax Kin Jose Morishita, curator of the museum who gave an explanation of the site.

The museum founded in 1975 in the city of Bizen in Okayama Prefecture has 1,800 pieces of great historical value such as clay pottery, figures, sculptures and textile works.

The pieces reflect the different civilizations that flourished in the region of Latin America such as the Maya, Inca and others, contributing to increase the knowledge of Japanese people in regards to the ancient culture of Latin American countries.

Many archaeological pieces in the Latin American Museum of Bizen

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama in Japan and his wife Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas (center), with Mr. Yax Kin José Morishita, curator of the Museum (at the right of Ambassador’s wife).