Date of publication: Nov 18, 2019

Jose Antonio Gloria Martinez

Head of Political Affairs: Embassy of Mexico

Date of birth: Oct. 12, 1983

Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico

Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 3 (as of November 2019)

Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?

The first encounters were food and anime. I liked “Captain Tsubasa” and “Saint Seiya.” However, the real face-to-face encounter was when I arrived here and I finally got to know the real Japan. It was an epiphany, the discovery of a new good friend.

Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.

My motto is “Always leave a place better than you found it.” This is a lesson for life that my father took from Robert Baden-Powell. It applies perfectly to my mission as a diplomat.

Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?

Every achievement is the result of a team effort. I am very happy to have contributed to enhancing air connectivity between Mexico and Japan, and to be deeply involved in the publication of a much-needed book about diplomatic relations between both countries. In Honduras, my previous post, my team helped me modernize the Consular Section to serve more efficiently Mexicans and Hondurans. We created a completely new office!

Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?

I will give you one example — recently, Ambassador Melba Pria commissioned me to be in charge of the Olympic Games next year. Hence, my goal here is to seize this opportunity to promote Mexico during the two months that Tokyo will be the center of the world. I also want to make the lives of the Mexican Olympic Committee and the national sporting authorities easier, so they can focus on winning medals!

Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?

I can give you four. First, be observant. In Japan, there is a deep meaning behind the details. Being attentive will help anybody to better understand this admirable country. Second, make the time to travel around Japan as much as possible. Third, walk with a camera in hand. Many beautiful places are hidden, one can only discover them by walking. Finally, eat. I can guarantee you that even the smallest place has delicious food and, perhaps, a fantastic ancestral story.

Last updated: Nov 18, 2019