Visit of a Member of Parliament

On August 22nd, H.E. Fumio Kyuma, Member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), paid a visit to Ambassador of Panama to Japan, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, to express the strong interest of Japan in the Panama Canal Expansion Project, pointing out that Japanese companies are eager to contribute with their expertise and financing in the construction of the Third Set of Locks. 

Mr. Kyuma is the fourth highest ranking official in the hierarchy of the Liberal Democratic Party, who has been State Minister in charge of the Japan National Defense Agency as well as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Transport. 

Mr. Kyuma expressed its satisfaction by the excellent relations between Panama and Japan, boosted by the recent visit to Japan of H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama. 

Due to the significance of the said project, Mr. Kyuma informed Ambassador Martiz about his coming visit to Panama with the purpose of meeting high ranking Panamanian authorities. Mr. Kyuma took the opportunity to request the support of this Diplomatic Mission to make a successful visit to Panama.

In turn, Ambassador Martiz pointed out that the relations between Panama and Japan are extremely important since both countries have more than 100 years of diplomatic relations. Regarding the Panama Canal Expansion Project, the Ambassador of Panama stated that Panama invited Japan to participate in the Tripartite Commission, which had the purpose of seeking alternatives for the Panama Canal in the 1980’s, when both Panamanians and Japanese leaders worked toward strengthening bilateral economic and political ties. 

Likewise, Ambassador Martiz indicated that the Panama Canal Expansion project, after being approved by the Executive and the Legislative Assembly, will be submitted to a referendum on October 22nd, when Panamanians will decide whether the expansion is necessary or not. 

It is important to mention that the visit paid by Mr. Kyuma represents a step forward in the deepening of political relations between Japan and the Republic of Panama, which is an important element in the agenda of the Embassy of Panama in Japan. 

In the center of the picture, H.E. Dr. Fumio Kyuma, Chairman of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s General Council and Member of the House of Representatives (left), and H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan (right).

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SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition 2006

With the support of this Diplomatic Mission, a Panamanian Delegation of specialty coffee producers participated in SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition 2006, which took place at Tokyo International Forum, from August 7th to 9th, 2006.

The Panamanian Delegation was integrated by Mr. Daniel Peterson and Mrs. Rachel Peterson of Hacienda La Esmeralda, Mr. Ricardo Koyner and Mrs. Benita Galán de Koyner of Kotowa Estate Coffee and Mr. Carlos Aguilera of Carmen Estate Coffee.

During the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, together with other Heads of Missions addressed to the media audience at a press conference, pointing out the four core elements that make Panamanian specialty coffee highly competitive in the global market, namely tradition and history, environmental protection, social responsibility, and high quality.

Panamanian Specialty Coffee has strongly attracted the attention of Japanese roasters and distributors, due to its excellent quality widely recognized in several international competitions, where it has obtained first places.

The overwhelming acceptance of the Panamanian Specialty Coffee in Japan opens an excellent window of opportunity to boost imports of Panamanian coffee to Japan, and therefore, contribute to add value to employment within the farming sector.

	PRESS CONFERENCE H.E. Dr. Alfredo Maritz, Ambassador of Panama (second position from the right side) is addressing comments on Panamanian Specialty Coffee to the media, jointly with Head of Missions of Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Brazil, Guatemala, representative of El Salvador and Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, Representative Director-President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., which is one of the main organizers of the event.
	From left to right, Mr. Daniel Peterson, Director of Hacienda La Esmeralda, Mr. Carlos Aguilera, President of Carmen Estate Coffee, Mrs. Benita Galán de Koyner and Mr. Ricardo Koyner, President of Kotowa Estate Coffee, Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, Representative Director-President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Mr. José Kawashima, Executive Operating Officer and Director of Agri-Research Center of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., and Mrs. Rachel Peterson of Hacienda La Esmeralda.
	Visitors at our booth, tasting prime quality Panamanian Specialty Coffee.

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Official Visit of First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama 

From July 17th to 20th, 2006, H.E. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, paid a visit to Japan for four days to promote business and investment opportunities in Panama, as well as to inform about the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal. 

The Panamanian delegation also included H.E. Manuel José Paredes, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Manuel Benítez, Acting Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, Mr. Hugo Torrijos, Senior Advisor to the President of the Republic, and Panamanian entrepreneurs. 

The Panamanian Delegation held meetings with top officers of the Japanese government such as H.E. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Kazuo Kitagawa, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, H.E. Toshihiro Nikai, Minister of Economy, Commerce and Industry, H.E. Katsutoshi Kaneda, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as Mr. Junji Higashi, Osamu Uno and Hakubun Shimomura, members of the House of Representatives of Japan. 

The delegation also paid courtesy visits to top officers of Japanese agencies such as Mr. Kyosuke Shinozawa, Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, President of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Mr. Hideya Taida, Executive Vice President of Japan Foundation. 

Moreover, the Panamanian delegation held talks with high-ranked representatives of the private sector such as Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of the Committee on Latin America of Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Corporation, Mr. Jun Yanai, Senior Vice President of the Petroleum Business Division COO at Mitsubishi Corporation, Mr. Norimichi Kanari, Deputy President and Group CEO of Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Global Banking, Mr. Hiroshi Saito, President and CEO of Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd. and Mr. Kunio Suzuki, President of Japan Ship Owners’ Association. 

During the visit, the Panamanian Delegation participated in the seminar titled “Investment and Business Opportunities in Panama and the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal”, which was organized by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Inter-American Development Bank Office in Japan (IDB), Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI) and the Embassy of the Republic of Panama to Japan. In addition, the delegation participated in the General Meeting to establish the Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee to deepen the commercial ties between both countries. The Committee will be presided over by Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation.

PRESS CONFERENCE On the table from left to right, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama, H.E. Manuel José Paredes, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade of Panama, and Mr. Manuel Benítez, Acting Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority.	SEMINAR AT JBIC H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama, addressing a speech to the audience on the occasion of the Seminar on Investment and Business Opportunities in Panama and the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PANAMA JAPAN BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE From left to right, Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, Director & Senior Managing Executive Officer of Sojitz Corporation and Secretary General of Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan and Honorary Chairman of Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee, H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama, Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Corporation and Chairman of Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee, and H.E. Manuel José Paredes, Vice Minister of Industry and Trade of Panama.	COCKTAIL PARTY From left to right, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Corporation and President of Panama Japan Business Cooperation Committee, H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama, and H.E. John Thomas Schieffer, Ambassador of the United States of America to Japan.
	COURTESY VISIT H.E. Dr. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Panama, and H.E. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

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Panama lecture at Hie Shrine

On June 28th, 2006, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, delivered a lecture on several features of Panama, including culture, tourism, history and economy, in front of an audience comprised of members of the Japan Inter-Culture Foundation at the historic shintoist shrine, Hie, which has been declared Japan National Treasure, since it was established during the Kamakura period around 10th century.

The Japan Inter-Culture Foundation was established in 1985, and its purpose is to promote international cultural exchange by providing to its members the opportunity to deepen understanding on other countries. The foundation is comprised of people affiliated to the said shrine, corporate executives, as well as independent business people.

Sitting from right to left, Mr. Tsunetada Matsudaira, member of the Board of Japan Inter-culture Foundation, Mrs. Dianick de Serizawa, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Panama, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Mr. Koremichi Miyanishi, Chief Priest of Hie Shrine, and Ms. Misato Nagata, Secretary of the Ambassador of Panama.

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Roundtable at Kobe University on the IDB Report titled “The Politics of Policies”

On June 26th, 2006, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, participated in a Roundtable on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report titled “The Politics of Policies”, which was organized by the Kobe University Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration (RIEB) and the Inter-American Development Bank Office in Japan.

During his intervention, Ambassador Martiz congratulated the Inter-American Development Bank for its efforts to elaborate the said publication, which represents a milestone in the analysis of development policies of the Latin America region. The report encourages a further comprehensive examination of the real causes of underdevelopment in Latin America.

In addition, Ambassador Martiz pointed out that “The Politics of Policies” has the merit of having considered the political factor in its analysis, going beyond the pure economic approach that has been overemphasized in IDB reports for the past 50 years. Ambassador Martiz indicated that the political factor is at the core of any country’s development; hence further studies on the issue must consider it as a key element.

Referring to the newly industrialized economies of Asia, Ambassador Martiz expressed the need to refocus development studies, so Latin America can learn from the successful experience of Asian countries in promoting exports and technological innovation.

Moreover, Ambassador Martiz warned against promoting populist practices performed in the past, which provides quick solutions for the present but only hopelessness for the future, as they hamper sustainable economic development. Rather, he stated his desire that Latin American countries adopt developmental policies in order to create viable economies that can satisfy people’s basic needs.

In this sense, Ambassador Martiz expressed that the government of His Excellency Martín Torrijos Espino, President of the Republic of Panama, is committed to foster developmental policies, which are focused on improving the quality of life of the Panamanian people.

Kobe University, located in the port city of Kobe, in the southern part of Japan, is considered one of the most renowned universities in development and international cooperation studies.

In the center, Profesor Junichi Goto, renowned professor of Kobe University Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration (RIEB). At his left, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and at his right, Mr. Takeo Shikado, Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank Office in Japan.

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Panama Day

On June 3rd, 2006, the Embassy of Panama to Japan participated in the event “Panama Day”, which was organized by Minato International Association, Tokyo, as part of the activities to promote Panama in Japan.

In this occasion, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, delivered a lecture on several features of Panama, including history, economy, the Panama Canal, as well as many tourism attractions. Mrs. Dianick de Serizawa, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy, also gave a talk on the traditional costume named “pollera” and “montuno” and Panamanian cuisine. In addition, diplomatic staff and a professional salsa dancer carried out performance of traditional Panamanian dance as well as salsa.

The Embassy of Panama provided tourism information, and took the opportunity to exhibit handicrafts, and to carry out Panamanian cuisine sampling, which included Chicken Rice, Potato Salad with beet, Pot Tamale, Rice Pudding with Milk, Bread Pudding Mamallena, and Panamanian Specialty Coffee.

Ambassador Martiz and the Embassy staff were received by Mr. Yoshiami Mikami, Chief Director of Minato International Association. More than 120 people attended the event.

H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, delivering a lecture on Panamanian history, economy, and the Panama Canal, in front of members of the Minato International Association, Tokyo.

Traditional Panamanian Dance Performance	Salsa Dance Performance

Important Japanese Construction Company interested in Panama Canal Expansion and Megaport

On May 26th, 2006, TOA Corporation, a Japanese construction firm, expressed its interest in the details of the Panama Canal Expansion Proposal and the Megaport Project during a meeting held by its representatives with H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan.

This consortium is one of the major harbor infrastructure construction companies of Japan, which has been established in 1908, and has a vast experience in the construction of advanced harbor installations such as ports, container terminals, artificial islands and so forth.

Currently, Toa Corporation is engaged in the construction of La Union Harbor Terminal in El Salvador.

In the picture, TOA delegation welcomed by our officers. From left to right, Mr. Koichi Tanaka, Panamanian Consulate in Tokyo Officer, Mr. Ritter N. Diaz, Commercial Attaché of the Embassy of Panama to Japan, Mr. Mitsuo Nagatomo, Deputy General Manager, Architectural Sales Headquarters,　Mr. Osamu Nakagome, General Manager - Managing Executive Officer of International Division,　H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Mr. Kazuo Yamashita, General Manager of Business Development Department, International Division, and Mr. Kiyoshi Miyawaki, Manager of Project Promotion Section, International Division.

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Flood Fighting Drill Tour

On May 20th, 2006, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, participated in the 55th Flood Fighting Drill in the Tone River Basin, Tokyo, which was organized by Japan Water Forum.

The said event seeks to exchange experiences in the way to cope with and prevent natural disasters at the community level. Moreover, the event provided an opportunity to seek avenues for cooperation between Japan Water Forum and the Republic of Panama, especially due to the fact that Panama is the Coordination Center for Natural Disasters Prevention in Central America (CEPREDENAC, in Spanish).

From left to right, Mr. Kotaro Takemura, General Manager of Japan Water Forum and H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan.

First Anniversary of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association

On May 17th, 2006, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, participated in a reception in the occasion of the First Anniversary of the Establishment of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association, which was created in May 17th, 2005, and is comprised by 77 Japanese members interested in the Panamanian culture.

Ambassador Martiz is the Honorary President of the said association, which seeks to deepen the understanding and cooperation between Panama and the Republic of Panama.

(Third from the right) H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, with members of the Board of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association.

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Japan Ship Finance Forum

On May 11th, 2006, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, joined H.E. Carlos Raúl Moreno, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority, to participate in the First Annual Japan Ship Finance Forum, which took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Tokyo.

The said event was organized by the Singapore-based company Marine Money Asia, and Mitsui Sumitomo Banking Corporation. During the forum, several interesting lectures on maritime issues were delivered such as “Japanese Shipping Industries in the World Economy”, “Container Ship Market”, “LNG Shipping Market”, “Update on the Japanese Tonnage Tax”, “Understanding the Japanese Ship Finance Market”, “Shipping Finance Opportunities in Japan”, “The Flag State’s Role in Facilitating the Financial Aims of Japanese Shipowners”, and so forth.

The attendance of the Deputy Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority showed the active role of Panama to participate in relevant maritime fora, in order to keep the high competitiveness of the Panama Registry in the international maritime community.

From left to right, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, H.E. Carlos Raúl Moreno, Deputy Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority, Mr. James R. Lawrence, Chairman of Marine Money and Mr. Nicholas Pitts-Tucker, General Manager of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Europe Division.

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