Japan’s Kishida bolsters ties with S. America to counter China

Kishida vows to enhance collaboration with Paraguay, emphasizing it as a crucial ally with shared core values, aiming for heightened cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his desire for enhanced cooperation with South America, which he described as “under the spotlight of the world,” to tackle global challenges.

Amid China’s increasing influence in South America, the Japanese government continues strengthening the region’s political and economic ties.

Prime Minister Kishida visited Brazil and met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, where he discussed opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation.

The two leaders reached an agreement to strengthen collaboration in combating climate change, including the preservation of the Amazon rainforest.

In efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and prevent deforestation in the region, the leaders signed the “Green Partnership Initiative” agreement.

Efforts will be made to implement joint projects involving Brazil’s biofuel technology and Japan’s hybrid engines.

Region ‘under spotlight of the world’ this year

Meeting with the Japanese community in Sao Paulo, Kishida held discussions with business representatives and delivered a speech at Sao Paulo University.

In his address, Kishida highlighted Japan’s opportunity to further strengthen cooperation with the “Global South” countries during his overseas trip.

Reminding of Brazil’s presidency of the G-20 and Peru’s presidency of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Kishida stated that the region is “under the spotlight of the world” this year.

Emphasizing the importance of a sustainable economy, Kishida noted that Japanese companies have opened over 1000 branches and representative offices in the Latin America region over the past decade.

Kishida expressed Japan’s desire to collaborate with South American countries to address global challenges such as climate change and economic inequality.

Paraguay is an “important partner”

During his visit to Asuncion as part of his South America tour, the Japanese prime minister met with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena.

The two leaders agreed that attempts to change the status quo through the use of force or unilateral actions were unacceptable.

Following the meeting, Kishida pledged to elevate cooperation with Paraguay, which he referred to as an “important partner” sharing fundamental values, to new levels.

President Pena expressed hopes to further expand cooperation with Japan, a sentiment he reiterated in an interview with the Japanese media, where he also called for the initiation of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations between Japan and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).

Paraguay is known as the only South American country maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan instead of China.

In the Japanese national media, Kishida’s visits are seen as Tokyo’s efforts to deepen its relations with developing countries in the resource-rich region amid China’s growing influence.

Source: Newsroom