Chilean Ambassador Rojas Bids Farewell After Five-Year Tenure in Japan

H.E. Ricardo Rojas, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chile to Japan, is now departing the country. He hosted a farewell reception to express his gratitude to a diverse crowd from across various sectors—a testament to the friendship between the two nations cultivated over his five-year tenure.

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas mingles with guests at his farewell reception in Japan

Ambassador Rojas’s time in Japan, which began in 2021, was marked by a succession of major events, ranging from the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games (2021) and the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Chile and Japan (2022) to the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo (2025).

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas and guests pose in front of the Chilean flag at his farewell event in Japan

Ambassador Rojas reflected on those days during his farewell speech. The Chilean Embassy in Japan is not particularly large, and participating in the Osaka Expo was by no means an easy task. However, by working in close coordination and joining forces—with the embassy at the center and involving private companies and relevant domestic institutions in Chile—the Chilean pavilion at the Osaka Expo achieved tremendous success. The pavilion attracted as many as two million visitors during the Expo and generated significant buzz on social media; in terms of public attention, it ranked among the top five pavilions at the event.

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas with multinational guests celebrating Chile-Japan cooperation at his farewell reception

When people in Japan think of Chile, they likely picture food products such as salmon and wine. It is said that the vast majority of salmon consumed in Japan today comes from Chile; it has become so deeply integrated into Japanese life that it is easily purchased at local supermarkets. The volume of food imports to Japan continued to rise throughout Ambassador Rojas’s tenure.

Guests enjoying drinks at Ambassador Rojas's farewell reception reflecting Chile-Japan food and trade ties

Chile is a maritime nation with a long, narrow territory stretching from north to south; the presence of deserts creates conditions for strong, abundant winds. Leveraging this favorable geography, the country is actively promoting wind power and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Driven by this government policy, Ambassador Rojas’s work spanned a wide range of sectors, including energy, critical minerals, and science and technology. Fortunately, he successfully established cooperative frameworks and delivered tangible results in all these areas—a testament to his skillful diplomacy.

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas with guests at farewell reception highlighting Chile-Japan diplomatic cooperation

As a maritime nation, Chile is also renowned for its distinguished navy, which boasts a long and proud history. In terms of defense, the Chilean Navy has cultivated a strong relationship with Japan’s Ministry of Defense; Ambassador Rojas has attended the graduation ceremonies of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Officer Candidate School every year to present a medal to the top-performing student—an annual experience he cherishes as an unforgettable memory of his time in Japan.

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas with Chilean and Japanese naval officers at his farewell reception in Japan

It is deeply moving to reflect on the tangible results achieved across diverse fields during his five-year tenure—a testament to his fulfilling work as a diplomat. Yet, Ambassador Rojas remains humble, expressing profound gratitude to Japan and noting that none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the cooperation of numerous ministries, government agencies, local governments, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), chambers of commerce, and others.

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas with a guest wearing Chile-Japan friendship pins at his farewell reception

Ambassador Rojas also expressed appreciation for the opportunities he had to visit various parts of Japan. He was deeply moved by experiences such as attending the atomic bomb memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Visits to temples and shrines in Kyoto stirred his appreciation for the depth of Japanese culture and history, while he also delighted in the natural beauty of Nagano. However, he cites his visits to innovation hubs in Osaka and Yamanashi as his most memorable experiences, alongside attending the JMSDF training school graduation ceremonies each year to honor the top student.

Ambassador Ricardo Rojas shares a warm moment with guests at his farewell reception in Japan

Thanks to the successful cultivation of these ties, the relationship between Chile and Japan has grown even stronger. Although Ambassador Rojas is returning home, we sincerely hope he will visit Japan again; the country eagerly awaits the “homecoming” of this outstanding ambassador.

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