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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 2009
2009 September - December
Events & Activities 2010
January - April // May - August // September - December
Events & Activities 2009
January - April // May - August // September - December
Introduction of Geisha coffee in the Ibaraki Prefecture
On December 2, 2009, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Japan, together with his wife, Mrs. Ileana Graciela de la Guardia, attended a reception to celebrate the introduction of Panamanian specialty Geisha coffee in the province of Ibaraki. The ceremony was organized by Saza Coffee Co. Ltd., in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Mr. Yoshio Suzuki, Chairman of Saza Coffee and Director of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), who is also a collector of Molas, bought this special order of Geisha coffee from Esmeralda Estate in Boquete at a record price of US$117.50 per pound (about 450g) on May 19, 2009.
During the opening speech, the Ambassador of Panama expressed his gratitude towards Mr. Suzuki for his preference for Panamanian coffee, adding that the Geisha variety is highly valued in the international markets, where it has received several awards.
Other important guests in the reception included Mr. Motoki Honma, Mayor of Hitachinaka City, Mr. Toru Umino, Councilor of Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly, Mr. Hajime Umino, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hitachinaka City, and Mr. Yoshitomo Tokugawa, member of the distinguished and historical Tokugawa family, which played a fundamental role in the unification of Japan in the 17th century.
The event, where participants toasted with Geisha coffee, was a good opportunity to highlight the quality of Panamanian specialty coffee in the Japanese market.
After the ceremony, Mr. Suzuki invited Ambassador Kosmas and his wife to the Hitachinaka Port, where 38% of foreign ships docking at the port carry the Panamanian flag. Mr. Mitsuo Nakamura, Adviser of the Ibaraki Port Authority, and other representatives, served as guides and provided an explanation about the port operation.
In addition to the promotion of Panamanian Geisha coffee, the visit to the port by the Ambassador and his wife contributed to strengthen commercial and maritime ties with the Ibaraki prefecture.
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H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, delivering a speech during the ceremony of introduction of Geisha coffee. |
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Mr. Yoshio Suzuki, Chairman of Saza Coffee. |
From the left, Mr. Taroh Suzuki, Executive Director of Saza Coffee, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia, Spouse of Ambassador of Panama, and Mr. Yoshio Suzuki, Chairman of Saza Coffee. |
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From the left, Mr. Motoki Honma, Mayor of Hitachinaka City, Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia, Spouse of Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, Mr. Yoshitomo Tokugawa, member of the distinguished and historical Tokugawa family, and Mr. Yoshio Suzuki, Chairman of Saza Coffee. |
In the middle, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, receiving an explanation about the port operation by a representative of Ibaraki Port Authority Corporation. |
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Mola Exhibition in Shizuoka Prefecture
On December 1, 2009, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Japan, together with his wife, Mrs. Ileana Graciela de la Guardia de Kosmas, participated in a Mola Exhibition organized by Ms. Yasuko Kawaguchi, professor of Mola confection in the Shizuoka Prefecture.
This exhibition was held from November 30th to December 6th, with the theme “Scene with Mola -from San Blas-” at Parche Gallery, in the same building of Shizuoka Railway Station. The exhibition was sponsored by Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Television.
The Molas presented at the exhibition were hand-made by professor Kawaguchi and her students. The exposition was a good opportunity to contribute to the diffusion of Panamanian Kuna’s art and culture to the citizens of Shizuoka.
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From the left, Mrs. Ileana Graciela de la Guardia de Kosmas, Spouse of Ambassador of Panama in Japan, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and Ms. Yasuko Kawaguchi, professor of Mola confection. |
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Meeting of Ambassador of Panama with Business Cooperation Committee Japan-Panama
On November 13, 2009, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, participated in a meeting with the Business Cooperation Committee Japan-Panama, where he exchanged views about the cooperation between Japanese and Panamanian companies. The meeting took place in the Akasaka Grand Prince Hotel.
The participants included Mr. Yasuyuki FUJISHIMA, General Secretary of the Business Cooperation Committee Japan-Panama, and Executive Vice-president of Sojitz Corporation, and the representatives of important Japanese companies doing business in Panama.
During the meeting, the Ambassador Kosmas reaffirmed the Panama Embassy’s support to the Business Cooperation Committee Japan-Panama to seek closer ties between Japanese and Panamanian companies, in order to strengthen commercial relationship between the two countries.
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In the middle, H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama to Japan and on his right, Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, General Secretary of the Business Cooperation Committee Japan-Panama and Vice-president of Sojitz Corporation. |
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Courtesy Visit by Japan-Panama Friendship Association
On November 11th, 2009, Mr. Toru Hikasa, Vice president of Japan-Panama Friendship Association, together with Mr. Koichiro Akechi, Mr. Nagashi Ogushi, and Mr. Hideyo Murata, Directors of the Association, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, in order to welcome his arrival in Japan.
During the meeting, they explained the organization’s activities of the Association and nominated the Ambassador Kosmas as Honorary President of the Friendship Association.
The Ambassador Kosmas affirmed his support to further deepen the excellent ties between Japan and the Republic of Panama.
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From left to right, Mr. Hideyo Murata, Director of Japan-Panama Friendship Association, Mr. Ritter N. Diaz, Attaché of this Diplomatic Mission, H.E. Mr. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, Mr.Toru Hikasa, Vice President of the Association, Mr. Koichiro Akechi, Director of the Association, and Mr. Nagashi Ogushi, Director of the Association. |
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Specialty Coffee of Panama in SCAJ 2009
From October 14th to the 16th, 2009, with the joint collaboration of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama (MICI, in Spanish), the Ministry of Agriculture of Panama (MIDA, in Spanish), and this Diplomatic Mission, the National Association of Coffee Processors and Exporters of Panama (Asociación Nacional de Beneficiadores y Exportadores de Café de Panamá –ANBEC-, in Spanish) participated as an exhibitor at the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition 2009, the most important coffee fair in Japan, which took place at Tokyo Big Sight. The event was organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) and received 19,381 visitors over three days.
During the event, the Panamanian delegation exhibited coffee products and carried out in-booth coffee tasting. The Panamanian delegation was comprised of 6 organizations, namely, Beneficios de Café de Boquete, S.A., Francisco Serracín Cafetaleros, S.A. (Don Pachi Estate), Finca Lérida, Santamaría Estate, Don Pepe Estate Coffee, and Casa Ruiz, S.A.
As part of the program, ANBEC representatives delivered a presentation in an open seminar on Panamanian Specialty Coffee, offering a coffee tasting of Geisha, Typica, and Catuai. The audience was comprised of Japanese coffee roasters and importers, who showed a particular interest in the sophistication and suppleness of Panamanian coffee.
Moreover, Dr. María Elisa Ruiz of Casa Ruiz, S.A., delivered a speech about Geisha coffee in a seminar organized by the Training Committee of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan, whose Chairman is Mr. Mamoru Taguchi, President of Taguchi-Coffee Co. Bach-Kaffee, an important importer of Panamanian coffee. The seminar was addressed to coffee meisters. At the end of the conference, Dr. María Elisa Ruiz received a Certificate of Appreciation from Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, President of UCC Ueshima Coffee and President of SCAJ. The Japanese audience showed a strong interest in Geisha coffee, especially in the historical and technical aspects. The seminar included a professional tasting of Geisha coffee.
Furthermore, with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama and this Diplomatic Mission, the Panamanian delegation held a breakfast meeting called “Panama Coffee Breakfast Gathering” in the Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel to network with Japanese importers and business people interested in the coffee industry, who had the opportunity to taste the varieties of Geisha, Typica, and Catuai.
During the breakfast, Japanese participants enjoyed Panamanian coffee in a cordial atmosphere, talking informally with Panamanian coffee growers. The breakfast proved to be a great success with 40 attendants, offering a good opportunity to exchange ideas about Panamanian coffee and the Japanese market. The participants included Mr. Mamoru Taguchi, President of Taguchi-Coffee Co. Bach-Kaffee and Director of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), Mr. Yoshio Suzuki, Chairman of Saza Coffee Co., Ltd., who are important importers of Panamanian coffee. We were also honored with presence of fourteen members of the Japan Food Analyst Association, which is comprised of five thousand members throughout Japan and regularly holds various seminars and activities related to the food and beverage sectors.
The Republic of Panama participated successfully in SCAJ 2009, attracting the attention of a great number of visitors to our booth, including important personalities of the Japanese coffee business such as Mr. Tatsushi Ueshima, SCAJ President and President of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., the largest importer of coffee in Japan, Mr. Satoru Wakabayashi, Vice-President and Chairman of the Committee of Exhibition and Conference of SCAJ and President of Art Cafe Co., Ltd., Mr. Mamoru Taguchi, SCAJ Director and Chairman of SCAJ Training Committee, and Mr. Yoshio Suzuki, President of Saza Coffee.
SCAJ 2009 was an important platform to promote Panamanian Specialty Coffee, which is highly appreciated in Japan. Moreover, this event provided an excellent opportunity to deepen ties between Panamanian coffee growers and Japanese coffee business people.
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Panama booth, exhibiting five kinds of the specialty coffee for tasting.
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H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, during the opening ceremony.
(third from left to right)
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Dr. María Elisa Ruiz, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for her notable presentation by Mr. Tetsushi Ueshima, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), and Mr. Mamoru Taguchi, Director of SCAJ. |
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Mr. Norberto Suárez, President of the National Association of Coffee Processors and Exporters of Panama (ANBEC, in Spanish) during the seminar about the Panamanian coffee organized by ANBEC.
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Participants in the seminar organized by ANBEC. |
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Panama Organizes Pre Caribbean Festival in Japan
On October 8th, 2009, the Embassy of Panama coordinated and participated in the Pre Caribbean Festival, which took place at DUO Music Exchange, Shibuya, Tokyo, together with the Embassies of Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Belize.
This Pre Caribbean Festival aimed to introduce the image of Caribbean as an amalgam of destinations through the lifestyle, dance, music, gastronomy, tourist attractions and other aspects of the Caribbean culture, which are very attractive to Japanese people, since it generates in them feeling of relaxation, joy, and spirit of friendship.
The Pre-Caribbean Festival also aimed at identifying sponsors to raise funds to celebrate the First Caribbean Festival in Japan, scheduled next year, which would put together musicians, famous Creole artists and Olympic champions from Caribbean countries, with exhibition and sale of products, foods, beverages, and information about tourist destinations, generating a greater interaction between Japan and the Caribbean region.
The Pre-Caribbean Festival was sponsored by Aeromexico, Maxpec Corporation and Dr. Hideto Tomabechi, President of Cognitive Research Laboratories. The event consisted of 2 functions: the first for the general public and the second for companies with commercial and tourist links with the participant countries. At the second function, we counted on the participation of H.E. Kazumasa Okajima, important parliamentarian of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and President of the Tourism Commission of Japanese parliament.
H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, gave an opening speech of both functions on behalf of the ambassadors of the participating countries. Also we counted on the participation of an important celebrity of the Japanese television, Sheila, who served as master of ceremony. At each spectacle, singers, dancers, and orchestras of Caribbean rhythms presented, together with a promotional video and a description of exhibition booth and products of each country.
The Embassy of Panama set up an exhibition booth with various Panamanian products such as gourmet coffee, molas, rum and guayaberas, besides tourist information of Panama. Also we offered typical plats of Panama such as the traditional “ropa vieja” and ensalada de papas con remolacha, as well as our well-known Panamanian drink, the Ron Abuelo 12 Años, which became very popular among the visitors.
The Pre Caribbean Festival was a very successful event which attracted over 200 people, who were able to relax in a very Caribbean atmosphere, contributing to promote tourism and products of Panama.
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Panamanian booth, decorated with a variety of Panamanian products.
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H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of Panama, giving an opening speech on behalf of the ambassadors of the participating countries.
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Ms. Dianick de Serizawa, Attaché of this Diplomatic Mission, wearing la montuna santeña, the traditional Panamanian female dress
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Panama Participates in JATA World Tourism Fair
The Tourism Authority of Panama, with the comprehensive support of the Embassy of Panama to Japan, participated in the JATA World Fair 2009 for the fifth (5th) consecutive year. This event was organized by the Association of Travel Agents of Japan (JATA, in English), and took place at Tokyo Big Sight from September 18th to 20th, 2009.
Panama´s colorful pavilion displayed maps of the country and DVDs with various attractions, including the Panama Canal, as well as brochures in English, courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Panama. Brochures in Japanese elaborated by this Diplomatic Mission were also distributed to visitors, with general information about the country, its indigenous groups, ecotourism, world-heritage and historical sites, shopping, cruises and a one-week plan to visit the main attractions in Panama, suggested by the tourism promotion section of this Diplomatic Mission.
It is important to point out that the before mentioned event is the largest tourism fair in Asia, where tour operators, airlines, and hotels from 151 countries participated with more than 932 exhibition booths. This year, around 110,000 visitors attended the three-day event, including key representatives of the tourism and media sectors.
Needless to say, JATA World Tourism Congress & Travel Fair provides Panama with an excellent opportunity to introduce its tourist destinations directly to the Association of Travel Agents of Japan (JATA), which is composed of major Japanese tourism operators. The participation of the Republic of Panama for 5 years in a row demonstrates the continuous efforts carried out by the Tourism Authority of Panama and this Diplomatic Mission to increase awareness of Panama as a destination with great value in Japan.
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| (From left to right) H.E. Jorge Kosmas Sifaki, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Japan, and Mrs. Ileana de la Guardia, Spouse of Ambassador Kosmas. |
Panama´s stand, adorned with banners,pictures, and video images of the Canal. |
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| Visitors looking for tourism information. |
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