Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union General Meeting and The Celebration of New Panama Canal and Debrief Session of Central America‘
September 27, 2016
16:00 - 18:00
At Diet Member’s Building of the House of Councilors
The chairman was Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Japan Secretary-General, Nakagawa Toshinao.
The meetings opened with greetings from the Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Japan Secretary, Takuya Hiraio. He reported on the activity of the Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Japan. According to his report, it consists of 68 members so far. The President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela visited Japan in January and the opening ceremony of the New Panama Canal was held in June, at which the Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Japan Chairman, Seishiro Eto attended on behalf of Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
At the beginning, President of Komeito, Natsuo Yamaguchi gave a speech. He had visited Panama in August and heard 14 members belonging to Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Panama. They are due to visit Japan in November.
Next, Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Japan Chairman, Seishiro Eto gave a speech. He reported that he had attended the opening ceremony of the New Panama Canal and the Panama Republic Presidential inauguration which leaders from neighboring countries had attended. Additionally, he reported that Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Panama has been set up and the Chairman is the president’s brother. He said, ”As 14 members will visit Japan, we should welcome them extravagantly.“ He also reported the visa exemption agreement with Panama. He concluded that he will encourage the diplomacy between Panama and Japan assembly members.
Then the Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of the Panama Republic, Ritter Diaz spoke. He expressed his gratitude
to all the members of this general meeting and reported that ‘The Biggest Specialty Coffee Event in Asia’ would be held September 28 - 30 at Tokyo Big Sight and Don Pachi Estate would attend. He also reported that the New Panama Canal is all very fine despite previous concerns. And he added that the Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Panama consists of various assembly members of administration and the opposition party.
And Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Division, Ken Hashiba reported the present situation of Panama. He especially emphasized recent close friendly relations between Panama and Japan and appealed for the need for more intense collaboration. One of these is the Panama Metropolitan Area Urban Transportation Line 3 Development Support Project. We hope Japanese technology will be introduced to the project in the future
Then the present Ambassador extraordinary plenipotentiary of Japan in Panama, Yoshihisa Endo spoke. He said he would like to encourage various cultural and economic exchanges between Japan and Panama in cooperation with the Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of the Panama Republic, Ritter Diaz and they also need other member’s help.
Next, the former Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of Japan in Panama, Hiroaki Isobe’s Message from Panama was read. He wrote, “Japan-Panama Friendship Parliamentarians' Union in Panama was officially set up on September 14. I’ m convinced that the relationship between Japan and Panama would be more strengthened by both assembly member’s exchanges.”」
Santosha Co; Ltd., President Kimihiko Sato introduced Geisha Coffee which attracted the most attention at the world’s Cup of Excellence, and Don Pachi Estate owner, Francisco Cerracin who visited Japan from Panama.
Don Pachi Estate owner, Francisco Cerracin introduced Geisha coffee which would be served after the meeting. He explained the coffee has a fruity aroma and also is like a tea. Donpachi Estate is the first farm in Panama, established in 1790 and began exporting in 1836. He said this farm became the best in the world because the handling of the land, process of making products and the management are excellent and also thanks to nature. The highest quality and the most expensive coffee beans were sold by Japanese company. This is amazing.
The Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of the Panama Republic, Ritter Diaz explained that the Embassy of Panama in Japan would serve ‘Mama Gena’ (Panama cake) and ‘Empanada’. Empanada is like a fried dumpling and the taste is different from each country.
Finally, the former Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of Japan in Panama, Shuji Shimokoji made a toast. He said, “We started to import Geisha Coffee from Panama.”
