Asunción, Agencia IP.- This Saturday, Japan’s Prime Minister, Kishida Fumio, left our country after a day of intense activities on past Friday in Asunción. He held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, as well as with members of our country’s Cabinet and a forum with Japanese businessmen at the Government Palace.
In a joint press statement, Peña celebrated the Prime Minister’s first visit to Paraguay and expressed his desire to continue strengthening bilateral relations with Japan, an important friend of Paraguay.
In response, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his desire to elevate the friendship and cooperation relations that Japan has maintained with Paraguay for over 100 years to a higher level, emphasizing Paraguay as an important partner that shares values and principles such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Both leaders exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation in East Asia, and confirmed that attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force will not be tolerated, and both countries will continue working together to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order.
They also agreed on the importance of cooperation between both countries on various issues in the international community, such as disarmament, non-proliferation, and reform of the UN Security Council.
Promotion of investments
Peña expresed his gratitude for the development cooperation projects that Japan has implemented in various fields over the last 60 years.
In this context, Kishida expressed his desire to obtain the support of the Paraguayan government to continue fostering economic cooperation that leads to Paraguay’s economic development and the promotion of investments.
The Prime Minister also mentioned Paraguay’s Nikkei community, composed of around 10,000 people, and expressed his gratitude to Paraguayan society for warmly welcoming Japanese immigrants and their descendants for 88 years since immigration began in 1936.
In response, Peña expressed his respect and gratitude to Japanese immigrants for their contribution to the development and growth of Paraguay, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Both leaders also exchanged views on bilateral economic relations. Kishida stated that Japanese companies have high expectations for Paraguay, which has a favorable business environment, such as a competitive workforce and abundant hydroelectric resources, leading numerous Japanese entrepreneurs to accompany him on this visit.
Peña also expressed his expectations that several Japanese companies will establish themselves in Paraguay.
Strengthening relations between Japan and Mercosur
Both leaders confirmed the importance of strengthening relations between Japan and Mercosur, considering that Paraguay holds the Pro Tempore presidency during the first semester of this year.
They agreed to establish avenues for strengthening economic relations with Mercosur in various sectors, taking advantage of opportunities such as the «Dialogue for the Strengthening of Economic Relations between Japan and Mercosur.»
Likewise, within the framework of Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Paraguay, Cooperation Memorandums were signed between the public and private sectors in various areas, including information and communications, and aerospace, thus deepening cooperation in new areas beyond traditional development cooperation.