Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and five Central American countries, a commemorative reception was held on March 25 in Tokyo.

Co-organized by the embassies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Diet, ministries, companies and academic institutions in Japan.

On behalf of the five countries that established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1935, Nicaraguan Ambassador Saul Arana Castellon addressed the attendees.

"Central American countries have come a long way to advance regional integration, launching political, economic and social organizations," the ambassador said, referring to the Central American Integration System (SICA) that includes Panama, Belize and the Dominican Republic in addition to the five countries.

"And in this process, we have built up friendly and constructive relations with Japan," the ambassador said.

Mentioning the geographically strategic position of Central America, between the North and South American continents, and facing the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the ambassador emphasized the importance of regional peace and stability, and expressed his determination to further strengthen Japan-Central America relations to tackle bilateral, regional and global challenges in a cooperative way.

"Let's work together and build together," he said.

From the Japanese side, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takashi Uto and former Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobuo Kishi delivered congratulatory remarks.

The year 2015 has been officially designated as "The Year of Japan-SICA Friendship" to promote exchanges between Japan and SICA countries. There will be various cultural exchange events throughout the year. On the economic front, a Japan-Central America business forum is scheduled to be held in May in Guatemala.