Yoko Fujikake Celebrates 30 Years of Paraguay‑Japan Ties in Osaka

When Yoko Fujikake, Dean of the College of Urban Science at Yokohama National University stood on the stage in Osaka on May 22, 2025, the crowd’s cheers felt like a heartbeat for three decades of Paraguay‑Japan cooperation. The celebration marked Paraguay’s National Day, and Fujikake used the moment to spotlight the schools she helped build, the women’s cooperatives she nurtured, and the student exchanges that keep the partnership alive.

A Day of Celebration and Reflection

The event, officially Paraguay National Day CelebrationOsaka, Japan, drew over a thousand visitors, from Japanese locals curious about South‑American culture to Paraguayan expatriates waving the red‑white‑blue flag. "I am thrilled and excited because today is the day to celebrate Paraguay’s National Day, and so many people are coming," Fujikake told Agencia IP, her smile widening as she watched a group of students from her university file in.

Even the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and First Lady Leticia Ocampos stopped by Fujikake’s booth, exchanging warm greetings that reminded her of a visit last year when one of her students presented a hand‑woven ñandutí lace to the presidential palace.

Three Decades of On‑the‑Ground Work

Fujikake’s journey began as a JICA volunteer—she was part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency overseas program that sent young professionals to rural South America. While records disagree on the exact year—some say January 1993, others argue January 1994—the impact is crystal clear. She spent her first stint in Coronel Oviedo, working alongside the Paraguayan Ministry of Agriculture to empower women farmers.

Since then, she has overseen the construction of four schools in Coronel Oviedo and San Juan, launched agrotourism projects that turn coffee farms into learning hubs, and steered income‑generation programs for single mothers in Bañado Sur. "These initiatives aren’t just bricks and mortar; they’re pathways to dignity," she said during the Osaka ceremony.

Her leadership of the Mita'i—Mitakuña'i Foundation has amplified those efforts, connecting Japanese donors with Paraguayan artisans. The foundation recently secured a grant to train 120 new lace makers, aiming to double the production of traditional ñandutí within two years.

Voices on the Impact

Paraguayan Ambassador to Japan, Raúl Florentín, praised Fujikake in The Japan Times: "Paraguay promotes numerous initiatives for rural women, and the inspiring actions of Yoko Fujikake deserve a special highlight in this effort."

Students who travelled with her in 2024 echoed that sentiment. "Seeing the school we helped build still buzzing with children reminded me why community‑based research matters," said Maya Tanaka, a fourth‑year anthropology major.

Even critics note the challenges. A local NGO in San Juan pointed out that while infrastructure has improved, long‑term funding remains uncertain. Fujikake acknowledged the gap, noting that her foundation is currently negotiating a three‑year partnership with a European development agency to sustain the projects.

Looking Ahead: New Projects and Student Exchanges

Next spring, Fujikake plans to launch an agrotourism circuit that links Coronel Oviedo with La Colmena, offering immersive farm stays for Japanese university groups. The pilot will involve 30 students and aims to generate $1.2 million in local revenue by 2027.

Back at Yokohama National University, she is redesigning the "research‑action" curriculum so that each cohort works on a live Paraguayan community project. "It’s a two‑way street; our students learn, but the villages also gain fresh perspectives," she explained.

Historical Roots of Japan‑Paruguay Cooperation

Diplomatic ties between Japan and Paraguay stretch back to 1919, when the two nations signed their first treaty of friendship. Over the last century, cooperation has oscillated between trade—especially soy and beef—and cultural exchange. Fujikake’s story is a vivid illustration of the soft‑power strand: anthropology, gender studies, and grassroots development weaving together to strengthen bilateral goodwill.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s 2017 Country Assistance Evaluation, Japan has funneled roughly $150 million into Paraguayan development programs since the 1990s. Fujikake’s role as adviser to the Paraguayan president and as a professor of graduate programs underscores how individual expertise can amplify state‑level assistance.

• Key Fact: Four schools in Coronel Oviedo and San Juan were completed under Fujikake’s guidance.
• Over 30 years, her projects have supported more than 12,000 women entrepreneurs.
• JICA’s President’s Award recognized her in 2018 for outstanding volunteer service.
• She was named one of Newsweek Japan’s "100 Japanese Admirable People in the World" in 2021.