Global Alumni

Mario M. Toyotoshi 
H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Paraguay to Japan
B.A., then Division of Social Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, June 1994

I aim to achieve enhanced co-creation between Japan and Paraguay

Ambassador Toyotoshi was born in Asunción, Paraguay. He completed his primary and secondary education at the American School of Asunción, graduating in 1990. In September of that same year, to learn more about his roots, he entered the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, enrolling in the College of Liberal Arts, then Division of Social Sciences. While at ICU, he resided in the Second Men's Dormitory and, in his 3rd year, pursued Latin American studies at Duke University through the university's study-abroad exchange program. He returned to ICU for his 4th year and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in June 1994.

Following graduation, he joined Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan as an executive trainee before returning to Paraguay in 1995 to take part in the family business. Over the years, he advanced through various roles in sales and marketing, ultimately assuming senior leadership responsibilities. In 1999, he launched his first entrepreneurial venture within the family group, TG Cuir International S.A., and learned French to strengthen business ties with his French partner. He went on to co-create additional enterprises in Paraguay, France, Puerto Rico, and later in Canada, where he established and expanded the family enterprise, Toyotoshi Group Canada.

Ambassador Toyotoshi has also been active in industry associations, serving on the boards of the Chamber of Automotive and Machinery Distributors of Paraguay, the Chamber of Advertisers of Paraguay, and the Paraguayan Association for Quality. In 2009, he became a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). A year later, he was selected to participate in Quantum Shift, a leadership program at the Ivey School of Business in Canada for the country's top entrepreneurs. In 2013, the Government of Paraguay appointed him Honorary Consul for the Province of Ontario, Canada. In 2017, he completed the Owner/President Management Program (OPM 53) at Harvard Business School, joining its alumni community.

In 2024, following unanimous approval by the Senate of Paraguay, the President of the Republic appointed him Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan by Presidential Decree.  He is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Indonesia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the State of Brunei Darussalam, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition to Spanish, Ambassador Toyotoshi is fluent in English, Japanese, and French.