Inside the World of JICA Students (Part 4)

At JICA Tokyo, we regularly feature JICA Scholars. We will sequentially share interview articles with international students conducted by Japanese university students participating in the JICA Internship Program.

Inteviewer : KONISHI Rei (Waseda University)

Mr. Kanek Alejandro LOL ALVAREZ from Guatemala is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations at Waseda University’s Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies. With four years of experience living in Fukuoka and a strong commitment to fostering Japan–Guatemala cooperation, Alejandro shared his academic journey, research focus, and vision for the future. We spoke at a cozy café on Waseda campus, making for an inspiring conversation.

Guatemala is renowned for its high-quality coffee, yet most is exported as raw beans, limiting profits for producers. Alejandro’s research tackles this challenge head-on. His theme:
“Cost-Benefit Analysis of Exporting Value-Added Coffee (Roasted Beans) for Small-Scale Producers.”
He examines:

・Whether exporting roasted beans can be profitable
・Required investment levels
・Additional income for small-scale farmers
​​​​​​​・Non-financial benefits such as skill acquisition and access to the Japanese market

​​​​​​​Alejandro collects cost data from local producers and cooperatives, interviews Japanese roasters and coffee shops, and studies export regulations—bridging fieldwork and academic rigor. His goal is clear: to produce research that farmers can actually use, not just a thesis.

At Waseda, Alejandro focuses on international trade, diplomacy, and economic development. Because his research is closely tied to business, he also takes courses at Waseda Business School, gaining insights from both theory and practice.
His days are packed—lectures in the morning, research in the library or lounge in the afternoon. “Working alongside friends sparks new ideas,” he says. For Alejandro, graduate school in Japan offers the perfect balance of theory and application, equipping him with skills that matter in the real world.

Alejandro’s career options span international organizations, government agencies, private companies, and entrepreneurship. At the core of all these paths is his mission:

・Improve incomes for small-scale Guatemalan producers
・Expand two-way cooperation with Japan
・Build sustainable value chains
・Ensure trade benefits reach people on the ground

Currently, he is launching a startup with colleagues to deliver Guatemalan coffee directly to Japan—a bold step to turn research into real-world impact.

Having lived in Guatemala, India, Europe, and Japan, Alejandro has extensive experience working in multinational teams. His key takeaways:

・People’s core values remain similar across cultures
・The foundation of cooperation is a willingness to understand others
​​​​​​​・Bridging cultural differences and engaging diverse stakeholders is essential for international collaboration

​​​​​​​These experiences have shaped Alejandro into a future global leader—someone who creates synergy across borders. We look forward to seeing his continued success.