Peruvian Ambassador Roberto Seminario returns home

His Excellency Roberto Seminario, Peruvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, who assumed his post in March 2022, returned to Japan at the end of November, completing his term.

As a professional diplomat, his contributions to the development of diplomatic relations between Peru and Japan were significant and dazzling. The visit of the Peruvian Navy’s beautiful sailing ship, the Unión, to Japan is still fresh in our memory.

However, Ambassador Seminario has achieved great success not only through diplomacy, but also through his efforts to firmly establish Peruvian products in the lives of Japanese people. One example of this is the increasing number of Peruvian foods now appearing on Japanese tables. Examples include fresh produce, including Peruvian fruits like blueberries, and the unique boutique coffee produced by Peruvian farmers.

The introduction of luxury textiles, such as Peruvian alpaca, into the Japanese market has already established the “Peruvian brand.” This has not only revitalized Peruvian exports to Japan, but has also contributed to the stabilization of employment for Peruvians in their home country.

Ambassador Seminario is also very enthusiastic about regional exchanges with various parts of Japan, frequently visiting regions from Hokkaido to Kyushu. He even visited the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit by a major earthquake on January 1, 2024, to offer encouragement and leave a message for those affected.

Perhaps the most notable moment for Peru during Ambassador Seminario’s tenure was the Osaka Expo. The Peruvian Pavilion, however, attracted significant attention, garnering extensive media coverage and once again bringing Peru into the spotlight. What many people witnessed there was the sincerity and heartwarming hospitality of the Peruvian people.

Peruvians are said to have a sincere, honest, and down-to-earth national character, a trait shared with the Japanese. It’s likely that this shared temperament has led to many Japanese people immigrating to Peru, settling into Peruvian society, interacting with Peruvians, and creating one of the world’s largest Japanese communities.

Ambassador Seminario celebrated his birthday on November 25th. He celebrated his final birthday in Japan surrounded by fans of Peruvian alpacas. Ambassador Seminario will be retiring from his long career as a diplomat here. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Seminario, who aspires to become a bridge between Peru and other countries and make significant contributions.