EMBASSY OF PANAMA IN JAPAN

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2007 May - August

Panama-Japan Friendship Association donates books
Panama participated in the WBC World Barista Championship 2007 and SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition 2007
Embassy Participates in Seminar on Panamanian Ecotourism
Panama and Ikebana International Tea
“Walk the World 2007 – Saving the World’s Hungry”
Panama at the 8th Annual World Gardening Fair at Hotel Okura Tokyo

2007
January - April // September - December

Events & Activities 2008
January - April // May - August // September - December

Events & Activities 2006
January - April // May - August // September - December

Events & Activities 2005

Panama-Japan Friendship Association donates books

On August 15, 2007, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan received a donation of two books titled "Natural Zeolite, Qualification Guides and Dates for Application", which was published by Zeolite Sub-Committee, No. 111 Committee of the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

The books have been donated by Dr. Nagashi Ogushi, member of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association, jointly with Dr. Hideo Minato, Chairman of the Zeolite Sub-Committee, No. 111 Committee (JSPS), and Dr. Harumichi Kaneko, Secretary General, No. 111 Committee of JSPS in order to serve as reference to advance the activities of the Direction of Mineral Resources of the Department of Commerce and Industry in Panama.

Doctors Ogushi and Minato carried out studies of non-metallic mineral resources known as Zeolite in Panama in 1996, which can have applications in the areas of agriculture and stockbreeding.

Ambassador Martiz expressed his gratitude to Dr. Ogushi, indicating that the Panama-Japan Friendship Association plays an important role in the strengthening of the excellent relations between Japan and Panama.

H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan and Dr. Nagashi Ogushi, member of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association

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Panama participated in the WBC World Barista Championship 2007 and SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition 2007

From July 31 to August 2, 2007, the Republic of Panama, represented by the High Council of Panamanian Coffee, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industriy of Panama and the Embassy of Panama in Japan, participated in the most important Specialty coffee fair in Japan, the WBC World Barista Championship 2007 and SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition 2007, which were organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), held in Tokyo Big Sight, city of Tokyo.

During the event, a delegation of Panamanian coffee producers participated in the exhibition, carring out tasting of Panamanian specialty coffee in the stand of Panama. The delegation was composed by 14 companies and/or organizations, such as Beneficios de Cafe de Boquete, S.A., Casa Ruiz, S.A., Hacienda La Esmeralda, Cafe Kotowa, S.A., Carmen Estate Coffee, Francisco Serracín Cafetaleros, S.A., Associacion de Productores de Renacimiento (APRE), Finca Santa Teresa, Inversiones Gallardo, S.A., Mama Cata, S.A. (Café Garrido), Don Pepe Estate, S.A., Santamaría Estate, Cafetalera La Mariana (Finca Callejón Seco) and Café de Eleta.

The program included a seminar about Panamanian coffee with tasting of the varieties Gescha and Typica, which was addressed to Japanese toasters and importers, who showed a great interest, particularly, in the Gescha variety.

Also, the US TV channel CNBC carried out a shooting of the Panamanian exhibition as part of a documentary they are making on the Gescha coffee of Hacienda la Esmeralda, which recorded the highest price at an international coffee auction. When finished the documentary will be broadcasted in the United States, Asia and Europe.

The participation of the Panamanian delegation in this fair has been successfull due to the large number of visitors who came to the exhibition stand of Panama, including high representatives of the Specialty Coffee Association and the Japanese government, who received presents from the delegation of the High Council of Panamanian Coffee, namely, H.E. Ms. Midori MATSUSHIMA, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Tatsushi UESHIMA, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) and President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co, Ltd., the largest importer of coffee of Japan, Mr. Satoru WAKABAYASHI, Vice-President and Chairperson of the Committee of Exhibition and Conference of Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) and Vice-President of Art Coffee Co, Ltd., and Mrs. Mary Petitt, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of the United States (SCAA) and Vice-President of the Colombian Coffee Federation, Inc. It is important to point out that this event has served as an important platform for the promotion of the Panamanian specialty coffee, which is highly praised in Japan.

From left to right, Mr. Ritter N. Diaz, Chargé d’ Affaires a.i., Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan and Representative Director – Chairman and President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co, Ltd., and H.E. Midori Matsushima, Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, during a visit paid to the Panama booth.


The delegation of Panamanian coffee growers accompanied by diplomats of the Embassy in the Panama booth.	The audience composed of Japanese toasters and importers during the seminar on Panamanian Specialty Coffee, delivered by representatives of the delegation.

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Embassy Participates in Seminar on Panamanian Ecotourism

His Excellency Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama in Japan, took part in the seminar “Wild Orchids and the Ecosystem of Panama: Preserving the Environment for Ecotourism”, which took place on the 15 July 2007 at the Japan International Cooperation Agency, under the patronage of the Association for the Conservation of Panamanian Wild Orchids (COSPA).

The seminar aimed to explain the advances of COSPA’s preparation for the scheme to protect wild orchids through the training of ecotourism guides in the area of Valle de Antón, where COSPA works in conjunction with the Producers of Valle and Cabuya Association, (APROVACA) in order to promote ecotourism for wild orchid watching.

In his opening remarks, the Ambassador Martiz emphasized the importance of this topic for Panama, and he reiterated that ecotourism, as an integrated element for the community, is a valid alternative and practice for conserving the environment, especially that of wild orchids.

COSPA has been engaged in talks with representatives of the National Authority for the Environment (ANAM) and the Panamanian Institute for Tourism (IPAT), so as to be able to establish a training program for ecotourism guides in the Valle de Antón, thus contributing to producing jobs and consequently improving the standard of living within this community.

Ambassador Martiz concluded that the COSPA’s efforts are not only aimed towards the conservation of Panamanian wild orchids, but it is also setting an important example for the non-official cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Panama.

	H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan delivers the opening remarks at the seminar.
	Mr. Koichiro Akechi, President of the Association for the Conservation of Panamanian Wild Orchids, explains the initiative of the Association to promote ecotourism in Panama.

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Panama and Ikebana International Tea

On May 29th, 2007, the Embassy of Panama carried out the event “Panama and Ikebana International Tea”, which took place at the Kowa Building No. 38, Latin-American Room, in Tokyo.

In the said event, Mrs. Pilar Hasebe, President of Ikebana International Panama Chapter, delivered a presentation, showing videotapes of the activities carried out by the Panama Chapter, including flower arrangements. Likewise, Mrs. Shizuyo Nakayama, Former President of Ikebana International, as well as Mrs. Hiroko Abe, Senior Professor of Ikebono School of Ikebana, attended the event. Mrs. Abe carried out a demonstration of flower arrangements.

The Embassy of Panama took the opportunity to exhibit handicrafts and to offer Panamanian specialty coffee and Panamanian sweets to the participants.

Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz, Wife of the Ambassador of Panama to Japan, delivered the opening remarks, pointing out that the presentation on activities of Ikebana International Panama Chapter, jointly with Japan Grand Prix International Orchids Festival and World Gardening Fair in Okura, held in February and May, respectively, is part of the efforts of this Diplomatic Mission to promote the rich variety of Panamanian flora.

The event also counted on the present of several wives of Ambassadors accredited to Japan as well as members and friends of Ikebana International Tokyo Chapter.

From left to right, Mrs. Shizuyo Nakayama, Former President of Ikebana International, Mrs. Martha Espinosa de Ruiz Cabañas, Wife of Ambassador of Mexico, Mrs. Pilar Hasebe, President of Ikebana International Panama Chapter, Mrs. Dalia Badr, Wife of Ambassador of Egypt, Mrs. Aline Obame, Wife of Ambassador of Gabon, Mrs. Hiroko Abe, Senior Professor of Ikebono School of Ikebana, and Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz, Wife of Ambassador of Panama.

Mrs. Hiroko Abe, Senior Professor of Ikebono School of Ikebana, carrying out a demonstration of Ikebana to the audience.

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“Walk the World 2007 – Saving the World’s Hungry”

On May 13th, 2007, H.E. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, participated in the event “Walk the World 2007”, organized by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Japan Relations Office in Yokohama, prefecture of Kanagawa. Officers of the United Nations as well as prominent Japanese figures from several fields participated in the 10-Km walking, where Ambassador Martiz got to the goal in first place.

“Walk the World 2007” is WFP’s global annual awareness and fund raising event aiming at ending the hunger of children in the world. The event started at the same hour at each time zone around the world. In the event, people from various walks of life participated, contributing to raise funds for the activities of WFP.

The said event had the following supporting sponsors from the public and private sectors: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan; City of Yokohama; Yokohama City Chamber of Commerce; Yokohama International Exchange Association; Japan Walking Association; and so forth.

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Panama at the 8th Annual World Gardening Fair at Hotel Okura Tokyo

From May 2nd to 6th, the Embassy of Panama participated in the 8th World Gardening Fair 2007 ~“Beautiful garden from the wives of Ambassadors from 10 nations”~, which took place at Hotel Okura, Heian Room, Main Bldg 1st floor. The said event was organized by Hotel Okura and the Ambassadors’ Wives of England, France, Spain, Iceland, Switzerland, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Brazil and Panama.

The Embassy of Panama displayed a countryside-style Panamanian garden, with a hammock, decorated with Panamanian handicrafts. The garden included a small waterfall, Panamanian orchids as well as papaya, mango, and banana trees, among others.

Visitors also took the opportunity to taste Panamanian Sancocho in an adjacent restaurant to the exhibition room, together with dishes from other participating countries.

Princess Takamado jointly with Ambassadors’ Wives of participating countries inaugurated the Gardening Fair, which attracted 22,000 visitors who took a great interest in the Panamanian Garden.


Fourth from right to left, Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz, Wife of the Ambassador of Panama.	Countryside Style Panamanian Garden

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