The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) held a panel discussion entitled “The Japanese migration experience in Latin America and the Caribbean: its cultural and economic impact,” organised in conjunction with Nuevo Objetivo Film, to recognise and appreciate the legacy that Japanese migration has left in the social, cultural and economic spheres of Latin America and the Caribbean.

During the opening ceremony, Gustavo Herrera, Coordinator of Social Development of SELA, stated that “for SELA, it is essential to emphasise that human mobility should not be viewed solely as a social phenomenon, but also as a vector for economic development and cultural strengthening.”

He added that this panel discussion highlights “how the Japanese migration experience is linked to strategic areas of our regional agenda.”

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador to Venezuela, SATO Yasushi, expressed his gratitude for the meeting organised by SELA to share “the culture, history and legacy” of Japanese migrants to the Latin American region.

The event combined a screening of the film Nikkei, directed by Venezuelan filmmaker Kaori Flores Yonekura, who is of Japanese descent, with a technical and cultural dialogue aimed at identifying contributions, lessons learned, and opportunities for cooperation.

During the panel discussion, the Japanese Consul in Venezuela, KATO Masamishi, gave a presentation on Japanese immigration to the region and the activities of the Japanese Embassy with the Japanese community in the country. Likewise, Dr Haydee Vílchez, from the Mario Briceño Iragorry Historical Research Centre, presented extensive research on the arrival of Japanese people in Latin America and the Caribbean since the 19th century.

Filmmaker Kaori Flores Yonekura emphasised that the Nikkei community (Japanese immigrants) represents a story of “resilience and adaptation.” She also highlighted that “identities are not static, but are constructed and reconstructed over time,” and stressed that through integration, the community was able to prosper.

The activity contributed to a comprehensive understanding of human mobility, strengthened the cultural and creative ecosystem as an engine for economic recovery, and fostered informed dialogue among public actors, the cultural community, and the diplomatic corps in favour of sustainable cooperation initiatives.

As part of this initiative, on Tuesday, 23 September, the Permanent Secretariat of SELA, in line with its commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue in the region, presented a preview screening of the film “El Extraordinario Viaje del Dragón” (The Extraordinary Journey of the Dragon), directed by Kaori Flores Yonekura, which will have its commercial premiere on 2 October 2025.

Both initiatives were developed within the framework of SELA’s Work Programme for 2022–2026, specifically under Programme III: Promoting a Comprehensive Vision of Human Mobility and are linked to Thematic Area I – Economic Recovery / Project B, on the use of cultural and creative industries. In this way, SELA reaffirms its role as a facilitator of technical dialogue and regional cooperation, promoting a vision of human mobility as a positive driver for the development of peoples, both for migrants and for host communities.