Prime Minister Ishiba’s Meeting with People of Nikkei and Japanese Residents in Rio de Janeiro (Summary)

On November 19, from 9:43 a.m. (local time; 9:43 p.m. on November 19, JST), for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit, had a meeting with people of Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and descendants) and Japanese residents in Rio de Janeiro.

1. Prime Minister Ishiba stated that Brazil has the largest Nikkei community in the world and that he was proud that the Nikkei community in Brazil have overcome great difficulties and established themselves as an important member of Brazilian society. He also stated that the Nikkei community in Rio de Janeiro is engaged in activities such as Japanese culture events and judo education for children in deprived areas, and that the Japanese government will continue to cooperate with Nikkei communities.

2. Mr. Fukasawa, President of the Cultural and Sports Association of Japanese-Brazilians in Rio de Janeiro State, welcomed Prime Minister Ishiba's visit, saying that the Nikkei community in Brazil would continue to contribute to strengthening friendly and cooperative relations between Brazil and Japan. Mr. Nishimori, President of the Brazil-Japan Parliamentary League, expressed his desire to continue to work for closer relations between the two countries as a Nikkei member of the Brazilian Congress.