Our Consular Team

Our consular office located in the city of Kobe is integrated by a team of local staff that are fluent in Japanese, English, Spanish and Filipino language.

Our office is divided by the following sections:

  • Consular section: This section undertakes general affairs, passports, and consular services.
  • Merchant Marine Section: This section provides vessel and mortgage registration services along with the support for any related service provided to vessels registered at the Panamanian Merchant Marine.
  • Seafarers section: This section undertakes the issuance of crew license documentation and endorsement for seafarers enrolled in vessels registered at our merchant marine.

Furthermore, our office oversees the operation of the International Maritime office of the Panama Maritime Authority located in the city of Imabari, named SEGUMAR IMABARI (Segumar comes from the acronym “Seguridad Maritima” which in Spanish means Maritime safety).

Our consul general

Alejandro De León is a lawyer specializing in International Law, with over 14 years of experience advising companies, banks, foreign investors, and public entities. His expertise spans international relations, multilateral organizations, and corporate management, focusing on investment structuring and project operations. 
 
Having served as an Attaché and Alternate Representative of Panama to the Organization of American States (OEA), he brings valuable diplomatic insight to his legal practice. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Alejandro effectively communicates across cultures and jurisdictions. 
 
He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Legal Studies from American University, an MBA from Florida International University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Santa María la Antigua Catholic University. Additionally, he is a licensed real estate professional in Panama, with over 5 years of experience in commercial and residential property management.
 
Appointed General Consul since October 2024
 

SECOND SECRETARY OF DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR CAREER

Miss Any Lam Chong L.,

Panamanian of Chinese descent, she has been working at the Panamanian Consulate in Kobe since May 2024. Her professional career at the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dates back to 2009, where she has served in various capacities, including the Directorate of Administration and Finance, the Directorate of International Cooperation, the Directorate of International Legal Affairs and Treaties, PROPANAMA, and the Directorate of International Organizations and Conferences.

In 2014, she was appointed Permanent Representative of the Panama Trade Development Office in Beijing, China, coinciding with the growth of trade ties between Panama and China, which led to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2017 during her tenure. She became the first Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Panama in the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, subsequently assuming the roles of Economic Counselor and Head of Consular Affairs until 2019.

In 2021, she was appointed Director of the Republic of Panama Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, until May 2022, strengthening trade relations not only with the United Arab Emirates but also with other countries in the Middle East and Asia. After her role in Dubai, she was sent to Panama’s Permanent Mission in Rome as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP).

In May 2024, she was transferred to the Consulate General of Panama in Kobe, Japan, where she assumed responsibility for the Panama Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She was later appointed Deputy Commissioner General and Vice Consul. The Expo opened successfully on April 13 and ended on October 13. Under her leadership, dedication, and commitment, the Panama Pavilion was awarded the Gold Prize in Exhibition Design by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), a historic achievement marking the first time Panama has received an award since participating in World Expos.

Ms. Chong’s academic background and language skills enable her to communicate and build networks across diverse regions and cultures. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Peking University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a Business minor from Florida State University. She is fluent in Spanish, English, Mandarin (learned at National Taiwan Normal University), and Cantonese, with basic knowledge of French and Italian.

Our Embassy

H.E. Walter Cohen
Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Japan

Our Embassy is located in the city of Tokyo, Japan.

The history of the diplomatic relationship between the Republic of Panama and Japan dates back to January 1904 with the formal establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

For more information about our Embassy in Tokyo, please access the following link:

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Welcome

The Panama Canal

On behalf of our country, we are pleased to Welcome you to the Website of The General Consulate of Panama, in Kobe Japan.

It is an honor to serve as Consul General of this office which has its consular jurisdiction over the Fukui, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu regions.

We are located in the second metropolitan region of Japan and in one of the largest shipping centers of the world. Furthermore, we supervise and work together as a team with the office of the Panama Maritime Authority located in the city of Imabari, which is a sister city of Panama city.

Our office essentially provides Maritime and Consular Services along with the promotion of the Panamanian culture and the enhancement of the trade and academic relationships between Panama and the people, companies and institutions of western Japan.

This site aims to provide general information about our country, the Panama Merchant Marine along with other consular and cultural services that our office provides within western Japan, giving you a better understanding of the role and functions of our Office.