Japan-Brazil Summit Meeting (Summary)

On November 19, commencing at 3:30 p.m. (local time; 3:30 a.m. on Nov 20, JST) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Brazil to attend the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit, held a Japan-Brazil Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The summary of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his congratulations on the success of the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit. He also stated that next year will mark the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral relations. In response, President Lula stated that Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and descendants) community in Brazil has been contributing to the development of the country. Furthermore, President Lula congratulated Prime Minister Ishiba on his new appointment and expressed his desire to cooperate in various areas on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

2. Prime Minister Ishiba stated that he welcomes President Lula's visit to Japan next year. He also stated that the potential for trade and investment relations between the two countries is high, and that Japanese companies are interested in a wide range of areas, including resources and biofuels. He expressed his determination to work together in order to expand trade and investment between the two countries and stated that it is essential to strengthen relations with MERCOSUR to this end. The two leaders then agreed to work together to discuss on the Japan-MERCOSUR Strategic Partnership Framework (tentative name) as a forum for discussing win-win cooperation between the two sides in a wide range of areas, including trade and investment. Furthermore, President Lula expressed high expectations for investment by Japanese companies.

3. The two leaders confirmed that UN Security Council reform is urgently needed and concurred to work together continuously on global governance reform as G4 to expand both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council. They also affirmed that the two countries will cooperate on various issues in the international community, such as Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East.