FUKUOKA -- Tiempo Iberoamericano, Kyushu's first Latin American cultural center, opened here recently in response to the growing needs of the Latin American community and the increasing interest of Japanese.

"Until now, there hasn't really been one cultural center for the Iber-American community," said Santiago Herrera, executive director of the center. "Tiempo Iberoamericano is the first of its kind in both Kyushu and Japan."

The purpose of the center is to promote cultural exchanges through the teaching of Spanish and Portuguese, offer referrals for legal and medical assistance to local Latin Americans, fund and maintain a library of literature in Spanish and Portuguese, promote bilateral home-stay programs and provide Latin American cuisine and cooking lessons through a family-style kitchen. Last month, a three-day festival held by Tiempo Iberoamericano and supported by the Mexican and Spanish embassies drew 500 people. Herrera said many Japanese hoping to study Spanish, tango or salsa were on hand for the event.