He commented that he has been working “tirelessly” for two years for the friendship between Bolivia and Japan that has lasted 110 years.
The Japanese ambassador, Hiroshi Onomura, has been in Bolivia for two years and during that time he was enchanted by the Bolivian land and the kindness and effort of its people.
“I like the Bolivian land, it is very rich and there are many places that are worth knowing (…) Its people are very friendly and hard-working, like the Japanese,” said Onomura.
He feels like another Bolivian. And in this interview he demonstrates it even more because he wears a traditional red poncho and a lucho, a gift from the teachers of the “Jach’a Omasuyo” Technological Institute, where he delivered equipment to the Automotive Mechanics Course.
In a contact with the press, who accompanied him to the municipality of Achacachi, he commented that he has been working “tirelessly” for two years for the friendship between Bolivia and Japan that has lasted 110 years.
“We are walking with the Bolivian people, if they need anything, we are available to cooperate,” he stated and highlighted the projects that his country is developing in health, education and security.
“Only God knows, but I want to be here for a long time,” he considered when asked about the length of time he will be the Japanese ambassador in Bolivia.
He is a diplomat who decided to learn Aymara and Quechua. “kamisaki jilata” and “yuspagara” he says in Aymara and added: “I am on the right track (in the language learning process).”
He considers himself a fan of Bolivian gastronomy. “Peanut soup” with its inevitable marraqueta, is his favorite dish.
“Be wasquirís (industrious), keep trying and make your dreams come true,” was the message he sent to the mechanics students of the “Jach’a Omasuyo” Institute of Technology and expressed his desire for them to own a car factory, like Soichiro Honda, founder of Honda cars.
Before being ambassador to Bolivia, Hiroshi Onomura was director of the Japanese Foreign Trade Organization (JETRO) in the Latin American region.
La Paz/ABI
