The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun
PM seeks economic ties with Central, S. America
SAO PAULO — Prime Minster Fumio Kishida emphasized the importance of economic cooperation amid equal relations with Latin America and the Caribbean in a speech delivered in Sao Paulo on May 4. Kishida apparently had China in mind when he made the statement.
Kishida conveyed Tokyo’s intention to support the activities of Japanese companies doing business in those regions and announced the implementation of exchange programs involving about 1,000 individuals over the next three years.
It was the first speech by a Japanese prime minister to address policy toward Central and South America in 10 years, since the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave such an address in 2014.
“It is economic relations based on trust, not the threat of force and coercion, that lead to fair prosperity,” Kishida said, a statement that appeared to be aimed at putting the brakes on China’s approach to the regions.
“Acts such as economic coercion … are totally unacceptable,” the prime minister said.
Kishida also called for cooperation in problem-solving, saying, “The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean will be there by our side as irreplaceable partners.”
Backed by its abundant financial resources, China has in recent years been expanding its Belt and Road Initiative to Central and South America and accelerating infrastructure development there. The Japanese government is increasingly wary of opaque development financing, and the prime minister also raised the issue of so-called debt traps, in which China wins concessions from loan recipient countries by soaking them in debt.
Based on such cases as Sri Lanka effectively transferring the right to operate a port to China, Kishida emphasized, “Japan will promote sustainable economic cooperation.”
He also stressed Japan’s commitment to the creation of new industries and employment, noting that “over the past decade, the number of bases for Japanese companies operating in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased by more than 1,000.”
DECARBONIZATION
BRASILIA — Kishida and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have agreed to deepen cooperation in establishing a framework for decarbonization during summit talks in Brasilia.
According to the joint statement issued after the meeting on May 3, they also agreed to establish a new vice-ministerial dialogue on decarbonization.
On his first visit to South America since becoming prime minister, Kishida was accompanied by representatives from over 40 companies.
His visit was aimed at reaffirming Japan’s cooperation with Brazil in maintaining and strengthening international order based on the rule of law, a priority for Japan, ahead of November’s Group of 20 summit. Brazil — a major power in the emerging and developing countries collectively known as the Global South — will hold the G20 presidency.
Kishida and Lula launched the “Japan-Brazil Green Partnership Initiative” for cooperation in the field of decarbonization.
The two countries aim to boost business initiatives by combining the strengths of Japan, which has technological prowess in areas such as hybrid car engines, and Brazil, the world’s largest producer of bioethanol.
They also reaffirmed the importance of strengthening economic ties between Japan and member countries of the Mercosur customs union. They designated 2025 as the “Japan-Brazil Friendship Exchange Year.” Kishida also confirmed that Japan would invite Lula to visit Japan.
Looking ahead to the G20 meeting, the joint statement said both countries would prioritize “the fight against hunger, poverty and inequality,” which Brazil has made a key agenda item. They also expressed their commitment to “uphold the rule of law and international law.
Regarding the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, they called on all parties involved to “exercise maximum restraint” and to uphold the rule of international humanitarian law.
FREE, OPEN INTL ORDER
ASUNCION — Kishida held talks with Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion on May 4 and confirmed their intention to cooperate in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order.
Against the backdrop of China’s increasing military pressure on Taiwan, the two leaders shared the recognition that unilateral changes to the status quo by force are unacceptable anywhere in the world.
Paraguay is the only country in South America that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Kishida’s visit to Paraguay is the first for a Japanese prime minister since Abe’s visit in 2018.
The latest visit by Kishida aims to coordinate responses in view of China’s hegemonic moves.
“The importance of our relationship with Paraguay, which shares values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, is increasing amid the complex crises facing the international community,” Kishida stressed in a joint press conference.