The Apostolic Nunciature organized the above mentioned event, which counted with the presence of the Diplomatic Missions in Japan as well as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan.

Mr. Masaru Kojima, General Manager of the Arakawa Karyu River Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, gave a tour of the Arakawa Water Museum, explaining the history of Akarawa River and the work which was performed by Engineer Aoyama.

On the occasion of his visit, Ambassador Kosmas offered a flower arrangement in memory of Mr. Aoyama. Mr. Aoyama learned excavations and canalization techniques during his experience at the Panama Canal, which he used to prevent frequent floods of Sumida River in the Tokyo area, in the early 20^th century.

During the meeting with Mr. Kojima, Ambassador Kosmas reiterated the importance of the work performed by the Engineer Aoyama, which was indispensable for the development of Japan, and also the need to disseminate to Japanese citizens about his work.

Mr. Kojima appreciated the visit of Ambassador Kosmas and his wife, expressing his interest in that Panama and Japan strengthen relations through sister museums of both countries.

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and his wife Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, hearing the explication of Mr. Masaru Kojima, General Manager of the Arakawa Karyu River Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and his wife Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, hearing the explication of Mr. Masaru Kojima, General Manager of the Arakawa Karyu River Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, in the Arakawa Water Museum

From left to right side, Mr. Yoshinori Itou, Deputy General Manager of the Arakawa Karyu River Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, Mr. Masaru Kojima, General Manager of the Arakawa Karyu River Office, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and his wife Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, in front of the monument in honor of Mr. Akira Aoyama

Mr. Uranishi offered a tour of the market center to Ambassador Kosmas, explaining the functions and current status of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Ambassador Kosmas informed Mr. Uranishi about the Stock Exchange as well as the economic growth of Panama, exchanging views on investments in both countries

Mr. Uranishi appreciated the visit of Ambassador Kosmas, expressing his interest in that Panama and Japan strengthen diplomatic and commercial relations.

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and Mr. Tomoyoshi Uranishi, Senior Executive Officer of Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc.

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and Mr. Tomoyoshi Uranishi, Senior Executive Officer of Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc.

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and Mr. Tomoyoshi Uranishi, Senior Executive Officer of Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc.

The article of Forbes can be viewed at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2012/01/26/why-your-next-trip-should-be-to-panama/

It is important to point out that Panama received more than 2 million tourists in 2011 for the first time, and it is expected further growth for the tourism sector in the coming years.

The article of New York Times can be viewed at: http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/travel/45-places-to-go-in-2012.html?pagewanted=all&smid=fb-share

Caballero arrived in Tokyo 10 days before the match to carry out an intense and final training at Teiken Gym, where he received the visit of H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, who conveyed him words of support and wishes for success in his next fight.

After this victory, the Panamanian boxer maintains a record of 40 fights with 36 wins and 4 defeats.

In the center, Panamanian boxer Celestino "Pelenchin" Caballero, accompanied by H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan (on his right), Mr. Ritter N. Diaz, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Panama and other members of the training team.

On the left, Panamanian boxer Celestino "Pelenchin" Caballero during the fight

By unanimous decision of referees, the Panamanian boxer is declared the winner.

The Panamanian delegation, led by Eng. Alfonso Castillero, Director General of Merchant Marine, also included Eng. Arsenio Domínguez, Alternate Representative of Panama to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Eng. Reynaldo Garibaldi, Head of Navigation Department of AMP, who make presentations on issues such as new developments in the Panama Shipping Register, Status of the Maritime Labour Convention, Statistics of Tokyo MOU and new regulations of the International Maritime Organization.

The activity concluded with a cocktail reception offered by AMP to the Japanese shipping community, with the attendance of Mr. Koji Sekimizu, new Secretary General of IMO, who expressed his gratitude for the support of Panama at the last election of the IMO, and also conveyed his willingness to cooperate with our country, in order to advance the best policies and practices within the international maritime community.

It is important to note that Eng. Castillero, accompanied by H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, held a working meeting with Mr. Sekimizu on the previous day of the seminar, where they exchanged views on issues related to the IMO.

The two seminars offered by the AMP in Imabari and Tokyo respectively, not only sought to update the Japanese shipping industry on the new maritime policies of Panama, but also to maintain the strong position of our country in Japan, vis-à-vis the rapid advance of other shipping registers in the Japanese market such as Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore and Liberia.

As Imabari, the seminar in Tokyo was an excellent opportunity to carry out important exchanges between the authorities of the AMP and Japanese shipowners.

During the seminar

Remarks by Mr. Koji Sekimizu, new Secretary General of International Maritime Organization (IMO), during the reception

The Panamanian delegation, led by Eng. Alfonso Castillero, Director General of Merchant Marine of AMP, also included Eng. Reynaldo Garibaldi, Head of Navigation and Maritime Safety of the Directorate General of Merchant Marine of AMP, Eng. Arsenio Dominguez, Alternate Representative of the Permanent Mission of Panama to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Eng. Silvia Uribe, Technical Officer of Segumar Office in Tokyo.

The delegation of the AMP was also accompanied by H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and Mr. Alberto Arosemena, Consul General of Panama in Kobe.

The seminar was aimed at informing the Japanese shipowners about new developments in the Panamanian Registry as well as future challenges in the global maritime industry within the context of uncertainties in the major economies of Europe and the United States.

It is important to note that Japan is the number one user of the Panamanian Registry with more than 3,000 ships sailing under the national flag. Imabari city is an important port city and shipyard located 600 km South of Tokyo, and has the official status of sisterhood with Panama city since March 2^nd, 1977, in view of strong maritime ties, which exist between both countries.

The seminar, which was celebrated for the first time in Imabari, was successful, with the attendance of more than one hundred shipowners, who expressed their gratitude for the participation of the Panamanian delegation. Also, the seminar provided a good opportunity for a fruitful exchange of views with technicians of the AMP on maritime services offered by Panama to the Japanese maritime community.

First row, from right to left: H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and Mr. Ryoji Kan, Mayor of Imabari City, Second row, from right to left: Eng. Arsenio Dominguez, Alternate Representative of the Permanent Mission of Panama to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Eng. Reynaldo Garibaldi, Head of Navigation and Maritime Safety of Directorate General of Merchant Marine of Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), Eng. Alfonso Castillero, Director General of Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and other members of the City Hall of Imabari

During the seminar

The attendees were also honored with the participation of Mrs. Mikiko Gemba, Wife of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mrs. Kumiko Akimoto, Wife of the Chief of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mrs. Eriko Mizukami, Wife of the Director-General of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mrs. Kumiko Hashimoto, Wife of the former Prime Minister of Japan Ryutaro Hashimoto and President of the Japanese Ladies, and Mrs. Takako Shimazu, sister of the Emperor of Japan.

During the welcome speech, Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas mentioned the activities carried out by Latin American and the Caribbean countries in solidarity with the Tohoku region, which was severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11^th, 2011.

The lunch, where traditional Latin American and Caribbean dishes are served, takes place once a year to collect funds for the welfare activities of the Japan-Latin American and Caribbean Ladies’ Association.

The money raised by the participation of Panama in charity activities throughout the year will be sent to support children who lost their parents during the earthquake and tsunami of March 11^th, as well as to charitable organizations in the Republic of Panama.

From left to right: Mrs. Kumiko Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Ladies of the Japan-Latin American and Caribbean Ladies’ Association, Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, Wife of the Ambassador of Panama in Japan and Latin Representative, H.E. Patricia Cardenas, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia

“Arroz con guandú” (rice with pigeon peas)

Panamanian Pudding

Traditional dishes of Latin American and Caribbean countries

The stand of the Embassy of Panama was divided in two sections, one dedicated to the exhibition　of Panamanian handicrafts, and the other one, to the sale of Panamanian food.

The Latin American Bazaar is held annually and counts on the participation of Embassies of Latin America and the Caribbean accredited to Tokyo, as well as Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi, who is the Honorary President of the Association.

This year, the wife of the Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Ileana Kosmas de la Guardia de Kosmas, assumed the post of Vice-Representative of the Association, carrying out the responsibility of coordinating the event.

The Funds raised during the event will be donated to welfare organizations of the Latin America and Japan. In the case of Panama, half of the funds will be donated to the welfare programs carried out by the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of Panama, Mrs. Marta Linares de Martinelli, while the other half will be donated to the Scholarship Fund for Orphans of the City of Soma, who lost their parents during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11.

The Latin American Bazaar offered an excellent opportunity to display and promote products and handicrafts of our country.

Booth of Handicrafts of the Embassy of Panama

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan and his wife, Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, in front of the booth of the Embassy of Panama

H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, receiving Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi

Visitors looking at the Panamanian handicrafts exhibited at the booth

Booth of Panamanian Food

Meat Pies and Chicken Rice at the booth of Panama

Sweets and Finger food to take away in the booth of Panama

More than 3,000 visitors at theLatin American Bazaar