EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 2005

2005
Mola Exhibition
Central American Products Exhibition 2005
Bazar Latinoamericano 2005
JICA - 40th Anniversary
Heiseikai Lunch
Seven Phoenix Tanker Launching Ceremony
Arakawa Water Museum
Courtesy Visit of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces Training Squadron
Courtesy Visit of Tokyo Office Director of Kochi Prefectural Governmental Bureau
Aisai City
Shiroi City
JATA World Travel Fair
In Expo Aichi
Japan – Central America Summit
Ambassador Day
Photographic Exhibition of Panamanian Wild Orquids
Touch the World - HONDA

Events & Activities 2006

Events & Activities 2007

Mola Exhibition

From November 15th to 21st, 2005, Ms. Naomi Yamada, Instructor of Mola Design, jointly with the Embassy of Panama, carried out a mola exhibition, which took place at Gekkoso Gallery in Ginza. The purpose of the event was to promote the cultural tourism to Panama with a special focus on the Kuna group, which is the indigenous tribe that makes the original molas. In addition to the display of molas, Prof. Tomohiro Takayama, Sophia University Emeritus Professor delivered a lecture about the Kuna Indians. In the picture, at the right side, Prof. Tomohiro Takayama, Sophia University Emeritus Professor, and at the center, Ms. Naomi Yamada, Instructor of Mola Design.

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Central American Products Exhibition 2005

From November 8th to 11th, 2005, a total of 13 Panamanian companies participated in the First Central American Products Exhibition 2005, which was organized by JETRO and Central America and Caribbean Integration System (SICA, in Spanish) at the JETRO Exhibition Hall in Akasaka, Tokyo.

The Panamanian companies presented their high-quality-standard products at the Panama booth and representatives of seven companies waited on the visitors directly. Our Commercial Delegation was led by Mr. Walter Castro, Chief of International Fairs and Commercial Missions of the Vice-Ministry of Foreign Trade of Panama (VICOMEX, in Spanish).

In the picture, from left to right side: Mr. Hubert Wilson (M & R Wilson - vegetable ivory articles), Mr. Juan Eduardo Malivern (Si, es Natural, S.A. - Honey and Propolis products), Mr. Romano Feoli (Investment Promoter, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Panama, Mr. Ritter Diaz, Commercial Attache, Mr. Walter Castro, Mr. John Albritton (Cafe de Eleta, S.A. - specialty coffee), Mr. Osamu Watanabe, JETRO Chairman, H.E. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama, and His Wife, Carla Marotta de Martiz, Mrs. and Mr. Carl Janson (Torrefactora del Baru, S.A., - specialty coffee), Ms. Olimpia Macias and her daughter, Ms. Elizabeth (Artesanias Tipicas Panamenas - "mola"-design handicrafts), and Mr. Eric Dormoi (Productos Toledano, S.A. - processed chicken and chorizo).

In the picture from left to right side: Mr. Walter Castro, Chief of International Fairs and Commercial Missions of VICOMEX, H.E. Satsuki Katayama, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker, and H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama, who is explaining to her the features of the vegetable ivory, known in Panama as "tagua".

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Bazar Latinoamericano 2005

On November 4th, 2005, the Embassy of Panama participated at the Latin-American Bazaar 2005, organized by the Nippon-Latin-American Ladies' Association. The purpose of this charity activity is to collect funds to improve the life of poor children in Latin America. The Embassy of Panama presented two booths: one for display of widespread Panamanian handicraft, such as "mola" and other items; and the other one to taste the Panamanian Cuisine. In addition to the exhibition of handicraft and food, Ms. Carla Marotta de Martiz, Ambassador's Wife, and her daughter Andrea, wore a charming "pollera", our traditional dress.

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JICA - 40th Anniversary

From October 29th to 30th, 2005, JICA Overseas Volunteer Corps organized the Global Festa, which took place at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. At the event, the Embassy of Panama exhibited Panamanian indigenous handicraft "molas", and provided tourism information about the country. At the center of the picture, a Japanese JICA volunteer wearing the Panamanian dress "pollera". On her left, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama, and on her right, Ms. Carla Marotta de Martiz, Ambassador's Wife.

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Heiseikai Lunch

On October 26th, 2005, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz attended a lunch in honor of H.E. Shinzo Abe, Koizumi's Chief Cabinet Secretary. The lunch was organized by the Heiseikai Association and it took place at the Residence of the Ambassador of Philippines. Heiseikai Association is composed by 14 Ambassadors from different countries who have good command in Japanese, with the purpose of exchange opinions with high-ranking Japanese Government Officers. In the picture, at the left side H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz and at the right side at the end, S.E. Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary.

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Seven Phoenix Tanker Launching Ceremony

On October 17th, 2005, the Panamanian-flag vessel SEVEN PHOENIX was launched in Onishi-Gumi shipyard at the City of Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture, and counted with the presence of H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama.

The above mentioned vessel is owned by the Japanese shipping company Seven Tanker, S.A., and it has been included in the Panamanian Registry. At the ceremony, Mr. Masao Fukahori, President of the company, expressed his satisfaction for the good relationship which exists between Seven Tanker, S.A. and the Panama's Merchant Marine.

At the center of the picture, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama to Japan; on the right and two steps forward, Mr. Masao Fukahori, President of Seven Tanker, S.A.

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Arakawa Water Museum

On October 2nd, 2005, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama, paid a visit to the Arakawa Water Museum, which is sister museum of the Interoceanic Panama Canal Museum, and where there is a monument in honor of Mr. Akira Aoyama, a hydraulic engineer who participated in the construction of the Panama Canal from 1904-1911. On the occasion of his visit, Ambassador Martiz 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 picture, from left to right side, Mr. Osamu Yagi, Museum Director, Mr. Koichi Tanaka, member of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association, Mr. Noritake Kai, former Ambassador of Japan to Panama and President of the Panama-Japan Friendship Association, Ambassador Martiz, Mr. Toshiki Aoyama, President of Japan Water Agency, Mr. Jiro Okamura, Director of River Bureau of the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport of Japan, and Mr. Shiro Kobayashi, Panama Canal specialist.

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On October 12 th , 2005, Rear Admiral Masahiro Shibata, Commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces Training Squadron, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama, in order to thank for the attentions given by the Panamanian Government during the squadron's visit to Panama in May. Furthermore, Rear Admiral Shibata pointed out that Panama plays a special role in Japan's Foreign Policy in the Latin America region because of its strategic geographic position. At the picture from the left to the right side, Rear Admiral Masahiro Shibata, Commander, Japan Training Squadron, Lieutenant Kimihiko Murakami, Commander's Flag Lieutenant , Ambassador Martiz, and Captain Terutsugu Hirano from the Operation Division - Training Section.

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Courtesy Visit of Tokyo Office Director of Kochi Prefectural Governmental Bureau

On October 12 th , 2005, Mr. Osamu Hamaguchi, Tokyo Office Director of Kochi Prefectural Governmental Bureau, and Mr. Hiroto Kubo, Kochi Prefectural Association Chief in Tokyo, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of Panama. The purpose of the visit was the exchange of opinions regarding the establishment of sister cities links between Kochi Prefecture and Panamanian cities, oriented to strengthen both countries' local governments relations. In the picture from the left to the right side, Mr. Kubo, Ambassador Martiz, and Mr. Hamaguchi.

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Aisai City

On October 8 th , 2005, within the framework of sister cities program of the Embassy of Panama, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Tadao Yagi, Major of Aisai City, Aichi Prefecture, and other local authorities. Aisai City was designated sister city of the Republic of Panama during Expo Aichi 2005. Ambassador Martiz invited Aisai City to become partner of a Panamanian city. The Major of Aisai showed strong interest to establish ties with Panama. In the picture, form the left to the right side, Mr. Satoshi Igeta, Former Major of Tatsuta Village, Ambassador Martiz, Mr. Tadao Yagi, Major of Aisai City, and Mr. Sigeichi Yokoi, Assembly Chairman of Aisai City.

In addition, it is important to mention that previously, H.E. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Panama, had met Mr. Yagi, during the Central America National Day at Expo Aichi 2005, where they exchanged opinions. In the picture, from the left to the right side, Ambassador Martiz, H.E. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama, and Mr. Tadao Yagi, Major of Aisai City.

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Shiroi City

On September 3 rd , 2005, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, delivered a lecture regarding Panamanian economy, history and tourism, as well as the Panama Canal, for an audience composed of more than 100 residents of Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture. This event was organized by Shiroi City International Association. Also, Ms. Carla Martiz, Ambassador's Wife, delivered a lecture about Panamanian life style, customs, sports and cuisine. Both presentations took place at the city's Community Center. In the picture, Ambassador Martiz and Mrs. with Mr. Kazuyuki Yoneyama, Shiroi City Education Commission Chief.

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JATA World Travel Fair

The Embassy of the Republic of Panama, with the support of the Panama Institute of Tourism (IPAT in Spanish), participated, for the first time, in the JATA World Travel Fair, organized by the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), from September 22-24, 2005 at the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center. The Panama booth included an exhibition of posters, photographies, brochures, handicraft, and video presentation with the different tourist attractions of Panama.

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In Expo Aichi

On September 1, 2005, the Panamanian non-governmental organization, Association of Orchids’ Producers of the Valley and Cabuya (APROVACA in Spanish), together with the Japanese non-governmental organization, Association for the Conservation of Wild Orquids of Panama (COSPA in Spanish), were awarded with the 100 Ecotech Award in Expo Aichi due to their contribution to the protection of the Panama wild orchids. The Ambassador of Panama to Japan, Dr. Alfredo Martiz, received the prize on behalf of both organizations.

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Japan – Central America Summit

From August 17th through August 20th, 2005, H.E. Samuel Lewis Navarro, First Vice President and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Panama, and Mr. Roberto Pascual, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Panamanian Institute of Tourism (IPAT, in Spanish) made an official visit to Japan to participate in the Japan – Central America Summit. In this context, H.E. Samuel Lewis Navarro held meetings with H.E. Nobutaka Machimura, Foreign Minister of Japan, representatives of the Japanese private sector, H.E. Junichiro Koizumi, and also was received in audience by Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and other members of the Imperial Family. In addition, the First Vice President Lewis took part at the Official Ceremony of Central American Pavilion National Day at Expo Aichi 2005, together with Presidents and Vice Presidents of the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA, in Spanish). The Official Ceremony included cultural and musical events.

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Ambassador Day

On July 28th, 2005, H.E. Alfredo Martiz, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, delivered a lecture about the tourism in Panama, as well as the Panama Canal, for an audience composed by foreign and Japanese journalists. This event was organized by the Japan International Journalist Association (JIJA) and took place at the Foreign Correspondents¡Ç Club of Japan.

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Photographic Exhibition of Panamanian Wild Orquids

From June 10th through July 2nd Global Environment International Center (GEIC), University of the United Nations (UNU) On June 11th, the opening ceremony of the Photographic Exhibition of Panamanian Wild Orchids took place on GEIC (see details below), with the attendance of Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, his wife Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz and other diplomatic members of this Mission. The exhibition was organized by the Wild Orchid Conservation Association of Panama (COSPA), the Embassy of Panama to Japan and JICA Tokyo International Center. The exhibition was an attempt to create awareness about the environmental threats faced by the beautiful nature of Panama and to promote ecotourism. Visitors could find pictures of wild orchids which are unique to Panama.

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Touch the World - HONDA

On June 11 th , the Embassy of Panama participated in the philanthropic event ¡ÈTouch the World¡É, organized by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and which took place at Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama. Basically, the purpose of the event was to create an international environment for children, giving them a valuable opportunity for sharing and being in touch with other cultures through traditional dance, music, games, tasting food, etc. The Ambassador of Panama, H.E. Dr. Alfredo Martiz, his wife Mrs. Carla Marotta de Martiz and other diplomatic members of this Mission participated in the event.

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