Japan-Brazil Summit Meeting (Summary)

 
On March 26, commencing at 6:05 p.m. for approximately 95 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, who paid a State Visit to Japan at the Akasaka State Guest House. The overview is as follows (the small-group meeting commenced at 6:05 p.m. and lasted approximately 45 minutes; the extended meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m. and lasted approximately 50 minutes):

Following the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the announcement of cooperation documents, including Strategic and Global Partnership Action Plan Japan-Brazil (2025-2030), and gave a joint press release. After that, a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Ishiba was held.
 
1.  Overview of Bilateral Relations
(1) Prime Minister Ishiba stated that it was an honor to welcome President Lula to Japan as the first State Guest after the COVID-19 crisis, in this milestone 130th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which was also designated as the “Japan-Brazil Friendship Exchange Year”.
(2) President Lula expressed his gratitude for the welcome he received on his visit as well as for Japan's cooperation in the G20 process, which Brazil chaired last year.
(3) The two leaders concurred that in order to further strengthen Japan-Brazil relations as “Strategic and Global Partners”, they would visit mutually and hold summit meetings biennially.
 
2. Diplomacy and Security
(1) This year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the two leaders confirmed to continue working together as part of the G4 toward concrete progress in Security Council reform.
(2) The two leaders exchanged views on international affairs, including the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and East Asia. Prime Minister Ishiba stated that any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion should not be tolerated anywhere in the world. Also, Prime Minister Ishiba requested continued understanding and cooperation towards an immediate resolution of the abductions issue by North Korea. They concurred to maintain close communication on regional affairs.
 
3. Economy, Trade and Investment
(1) The two leaders confirmed that they would further strengthen trade and investment ties between Japan and Brazil, and take economic relations to an even higher level. Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed the arrival of the Brazilian economic mission consisting of over 100 people, and the announcement of approximately 80 public and private cooperation projects. He also pointed out that President Lula's efforts to improve the business environment, such as tax reform and infrastructure development, are extremely important for the expansion of Japanese companies' investment in Brazil, and expressed his expectations for President Lula's leadership in advancing such efforts.
(2) The two leaders confirmed to promptly launch the Japan-Mercosur Strategic Partnership Framework and to advance discussions toward deepening trade relations under the Framework.
(3) With the 30th anniversary of the founding of the WTO, the two leaders confirmed the importance of the international trade regime with the WTO at its core, and concurred that Japan and Brazil would work together to uphold it.
 
4. Environment and Climate Change
(1) Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his intention to cooperate with Brazil, chair of COP30 (30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
(2) Prime Minister Ishiba stated that, under the Japan-Brazil Green Partnership Initiative (GPI) launched last year, Japan would continue to promote cooperation, focusing on recovery of degraded pasture and fight against illegal logging in the Amazon region, while also making use of Japan’s new approach named “Co-Creation for Common Agenda Initiative”. President Lula expressed his gratitude for Japan's cooperation and his willingness for further collaboration toward the protection of the Amazon and response to climate change.
(3) The two leaders confirmed that under the Initiative for Sustainable Fuels and Mobility (ISFM), launched last year, Japan and Brazil will lead a global decarbonization effort in the automotive sector, while harnessing the strengths of both countries.
(4) Prime Minister Ishiba called for Brazil’s participation in the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (GREEN x EXPO 2027).
 
5. People-to-People Exchange
Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his gratitude for Brazil's participation in Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and the two leaders concurred in promoting the Expo together.