Asunción, Agencia IP.- A networking cocktail brought together young leaders from Japan and Paraguay within the framework of the «JUNTOS!!» exchange program, an initiative driven by the Japanese government to strengthen ties with Latin America and the Caribbean. The event was attended by eight Japanese female university students visiting the country as part of this public diplomacy effort aimed at new generations.
During the event, the Japanese Ambassador to Paraguay, Katsumi Itagaki, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for engagement that go beyond a formal protocol visit. He explained that the geographical distance between the two countries, requiring travel of more than 30 hours, makes frequent exchanges difficult, especially for young people, and that it is essential to provide a space for direct dialogue, cultural exchange, and the building of networks with Paraguayan university leaders.
The diplomat noted that the «JUNTOS!!» program, launched during the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is based on three conceptual pillars: progressing together, inspiring together, and leading together. These principles aim to promote economic cooperation, technological and cultural exchange, and joint action on global challenges, including climate change, international peace, the rule of law, and human rights. According to the Ambassador, these objectives remain fully relevant in Japan-Paraguay bilateral relations.ç
He also stressed that the eight members of the delegation were selected from approximately 330 applicants, highlighting the rigorous selection process and the participants’ leadership potential. The visit is part of a regional itinerary that includes other South American countries, including Brazil.
The Ambassador placed the meeting within a particularly active period in bilateral relations. He recalled President Santiago Peña’s official visit to Japan in 2025, during which he met with government officials and business leaders. According to Itagaki, that engagement helped consolidate the countries’ status as strategic partners and opened new opportunities for cooperation in economic, academic, and social fields.
Another key point was the commemoration of 90 years of Japanese migration to Paraguay, which began in 1936 with the establishment of the first colony in La Colmena. The Ambassador noted that this anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year with various activities to recognize the historic contribution of the Japanese community to Paraguay’s development and to project that legacy into the future.
In his remarks, Itagaki also referred to demographic differences between the two countries: Japan faces pronounced population aging, while Paraguay has a predominantly young population. In this regard, he suggested that youth exchanges can generate mutual learning and help address challenges that, although different today, may converge over time.
For her part, the Minister of Youth, Salma Agüero, welcomed the Japanese delegation and described the gathering as an opportunity for young leaders to share experiences, perspectives, and diverse cultural realities. She also highlighted that Paraguayan students involved in leadership training programs and academic institutions with longstanding ties to the Japanese community participated in the event.
The Minister thanked representatives of the ALA Legacy (Advanced Leadership Academy) program, focused on university leaders, as well as young participants from Universidad Nihon Gakko and the Centro Nikkei. She noted that the exchange helps strengthen mutual understanding and consolidate relationships built over more than nine decades of bilateral cooperation.
Agüero also emphasized the symbolic significance of the meeting, as it coincided with Paraguayan Women’s Day, and underscored the historic role of women in rebuilding the country after the War of the Triple Alliance. She considered it especially meaningful that the visiting delegation consisted entirely of young women with distinguished academic and leadership backgrounds.
Finally, the Minister reaffirmed that Japan is a strategic partner for Paraguay in areas such as education, agriculture, economic development, and technical cooperation, and expressed hope that initiatives like this will serve as a starting point for new, youth-focused joint projects.
The «JUNTOS!!» program, promoted by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to foster intercultural understanding through academic, professional, and social exchanges. Through these activities, both countries aim to ensure that future generations play a central role in strengthening bilateral ties and building sustainable cooperation grounded in dialogue, innovation, and mutual respect.