Latin America and the Caribbean

The second meeting of the Panel of Experts on Collaborating with Communities of Japanese Immigrants and Descendants (“Nikkei”) in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was established under the auspices of Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, was held on March 27. The discussion was held on “approaches to collaboration Based on the Actual Circumstances and Generational Change in Nikkei Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.” From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the panel. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. In his opening remarks, State Minister Sonoura spoke of his visit to various countries including Peru and Mexico, and his exchange of views with representatives of local Nikkei communities. He expressed his hopes that discussions take place taking into account the following issues, among others: 1) the current situation of Nikkei communities and organizations, and the current situation of and issues related to exchanges; 2) how to pass down the existing presence of and trust in Nikkei communities and organizations; and 3) how to have the younger generation take an interest in Japan with a view to developing leaders among the younger generation.
2. Mr. Fukushima, Director of the Policy Planning and Regional Development Department and Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau of Fukuoka Prefectural Government, made a report on the network of the associations of overseas people from Fukuoka Prefecture that are contributing to the internationalization of the Prefecture. Mr. Fukushima explained the human resource development activities for associations of overseas people from Fukuoka Prefecture and the activities to promote the Prefecture utilizing the network of associations of overseas people from Fukuoka Prefecture. Following this, Mr. Morimoto, Executive Director of the Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, explained the development of the next generation of leaders of the Nikkei community, engagement between Japanese companies and the Nikkei community, etc. and offered a proposal regarding activities to develop young leaders in the Nikkei community. The experts exchanged views based on these reports.