On December 1st, 2011, Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia de Kosmas, Wife of the Ambassador of Panama in Japan, as Latin Representative of the Japan-Latin American and Caribbean Ladies’ Association, presided over the charity lunch in honor of Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi, who is the Honorary President of this Association.
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 11th, 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 11th, 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