Prime Minister’s Meeting with People of Nikkei in Paraguay (Summary)

On May 3, commencing at 8:00 p.m. (local time; 9:00 a.m. on May 4 JST) for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan during his visit to the Republic of Paraguay, held a meeting in the hall of the Cenral Bank of Paraguay with representatives of Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and descendants) communities. Approximately 200 Nikkei people, including HORITA Toshiyuki, Vice President of the Federation of Japanese Association in Paraguay and SHIMA Kaoru, President of the Nikkei Agricultural Central Cooperative, attended the meeting.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida delivered an opening remark and expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by the Nikkei community in Paraguay in the wake of the Noto Peninsula earthquake this year and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. He also paid tribute to active roles played by Nikkei people in a variety of fields, as well as the success of women and young generation of Nikkei.

2. Vice President Horita welcomed Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Paraguay and stated that it was an honor for the Paraguayan Nikkei community to receive him. He also stated that the Nikkei community would like to continue their efforts as a "bridge" between the two countries to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between Paraguay and Japan.

3. Prime Minister Kishida subsequently took pictures with the participants.