“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is a famous piece of advice that comes from the saying: “When in Rome, live like a Roman.” The expression was pronounced by Tomoko Aikawa, a linguistics specialist at the University of Aichi, at the meeting organized by the Argentine-Japanese Business Club, at Hanami Eventos in the City of Buenos Aires, within the framework of the G20 meeting of Ministers of Agriculture.
“Learning about dealing with the Japanese is useful for doing business with Japan and the world,” said Aikawa. Culture, customs and, above all, language are a stumbling block when it comes to dealing with the Asian country. There are few things left to improvisation and spontaneity. Protocol, the ways to follow in each situation, education and dealing with others are considered important topics in Japanese society. “Learning aspects of another culture in relation to ceremony and protocol, such as reverence, cordiality and respect, are an added value when it comes to doing business with Japan and the world,” stressed the specialist.
Opportunity for complementarity
The Japanese economy is one of the most important and for Argentina, in the interests of the internationalization of its market, Japan is presented as a universe of opportunity for the export of products of national origin. The Asian country is a great importer of agro-foods. Shrimps and prawns, grape juice, citrus juice, natural honey and wine were the main Argentine exports last May, according to data from the Agroindustry portfolio.
There are many opportunities in the food sector, because Japan's food self-sufficiency is extremely low: in fact, 60% of the food consumed in that country is imported, so there are opportunities to market products from the agro-industrial field.
According to Tomoko Aikawa, there is a strong preference for seafood in Japanese food culture. In this context, shrimp is a product with great opportunities in this market, as well as frozen fish, prawns, crustaceans and mollusks.
“In this scenario, the first edition of Gastro Japo Food Week, from June 12 to 19, will be an opportunity to get closer to Japan and its ancient culture through a world of flavors,” said members of the Argentine-Japanese Business Club at the crowded event. Restaurants in the City of Buenos Aires will participate to promote fish consumption and to introduce typical Japanese food, using the best local ingredients.
A tale of two peoples
The commemoration of 120 years of diplomatic relations represents a milestone that goes beyond the usual cooperation in political, cultural or economic fields and is crystallized in the historic respect and mutual appreciation that both peoples profess for each other. According to Tomoko, this wonderful relationship was strengthened through the union of the various Japanese communities in Argentina with their neighbors throughout the country. In this way, the two great virtues of the Japanese people were revealed: honesty and kindness, which have been transmitted from generation to generation.
Workshop “Business in Japan: Basic Aspects of Ceremony and Protocol”, organized by CNAJ at Hanami Events. Photo: Aduana News
In 1886, the first Japanese, Kinzo Makino, settled in Argentina. In the 1895 census, the number of Japanese rose to 10.
In 1908, the first official stage of Japanese immigration to Argentina began, which has been a bridge between both nations and their cultures. Currently, the Japanese community in Argentina is around 54 thousand people, while the Argentine community in Japan is approximately 4500 people.
Union through music
Tango is known as the artistic expression par excellence that embodies the union of both peoples. Few countries in the world have such a deep and historic feeling for this expression of our music. Already in the 40s there were several typical Japanese orchestras; the best known was the Tokyo Typical Orchestra. From the 60s onwards, Japanese singers with their own style emerged, achieving regional and world fame.
In turn, Juan Canaro's Argentine orchestra was the first to perform in Japan, in 1954. The tour of that country by the Quinteto Real, led by Horacio Salgán, in 1964 is especially remembered. There are milongas in many cities in Japan, and its tango festivals are the most important in the region.
Strategic relations
The establishment of Diplomatic Relations began with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the two countries on February 3, 1898.
Since 2015, Argentina has developed a foreign policy that seeks to strengthen bilateral relations with its historical partners. Within this framework, the national government has classified the relationship with Japan as a priority. In the last two years, there have been 12 high-level reciprocal ministerial visits and multiple economic and investment forums have been organized.
Argentina is the fifth largest Latin American exporter to Japan. At the same time, the number of Japanese companies operating in the country has increased from 5 to 50 in recent years; between stock and announced investments, the figure reaches 74 million dollars, especially in the automotive and mining (lithium) sectors.
In 2017, bilateral trade increased by 10% compared to the previous year, reaching 1694 billion dollars, according to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both countries agreed on the Customs Cooperation Agreement, which is in the final stages of negotiation.
With regard to other areas of multilateral cooperation, the MERCOSUR-Japan dialogue has made progress in recent months. Japan also supports Argentina's intention to join the OECD. As for the G20, the intense reciprocal and collaborative work undertaken by both countries should be highlighted, as Argentina held the presidency in 2018 and Japan is holding the presidency in 2019 in Osaka.
Bridge of Brotherhood
Argentina, as a source of wealth in natural products from the agro-industrial sector, can meet Japan's food needs to a greater extent than at present, with marketing policies that favor trade between both countries. At the same time, our country can be enriched by the protocol and commercial experience that for years has made Japan a leading exporter of high-quality technological and industrial products.
Knowledge of ancient Japanese culture and wisdom will help us grow as individuals and as a country.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
