Ritter Diaz

Vice-president for Asian Business Development.

Dr. Ritter Diaz served for 20 years at the Embassy of Panama in Japan, first as Commercial Counsellor (1999-2014) and later as Ambassador (2014-2019). After, he transitioned into an international independent consulting career focused on fostering relations between Japan and Latin America and the Caribbean. He has also held positions at Banco General, Panama’s largest bank, and Panasonic Latin America. Dr. Diaz holds a BA in Political Science (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire), a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy (Tsukuba University), and an Honorary Doctorate (Chiba University).

Currently, he serves as Vice-president for Asian Business Development at Ichthus Unlimited and Senior Advisor at Hatada Corporation, a Japanese manufacturing company which makes rubber components for Canon, Boeing, and Fanuc, among others. Dr. Diaz also serves as president of the Panama-based company Charlie Trading and Consulting, fostering business opportunities between Japan and Latin America.

Dr. Diaz is also the Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), a non-for-profit organization which promotes exchanges between Japan and Latin America in areas such as international education, culture, advocating for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. JAPOLAC also has advisory roles to Latin American embassies accredited in Tokyo (also honorary members of JAPOLAC) including Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Guatemala, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Panama and Cuba.