Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hosted Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, during his inaugural visit to the country. The meeting, held in Brasilia, was aimed at advancing an agreement to open Japanese markets to Brazilian beef, a goal that Brazil has pursued since 2005. President Lula urged Prime Minister Kishida to try Brazilian steak during his visit and consider importing their beef, emphasizing its quality and affordability compared to imports from the U.S. and Australia.
Under President Lula's leadership, Brazil has intensified efforts to export beef to global markets, with 50 countries lifting restrictions, especially in Asia, since early 2023. Despite facing challenges related to the beef industry's impact on the environment, such as deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado, Brazil highlighted improved sanitary conditions in the cattle industry. The leaders also agreed on Japanese support for restoration initiatives in the Cerrado's degraded areas, demonstrating a commitment to environmental cooperation.
During their bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the potential for Japanese-Brazilian collaboration on various global challenges, particularly in environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development. Japan pledged a $3 million contribution to Brazil's fund for Amazon rainforest protection, showcasing a joint commitment to conservation efforts. Additionally, discussions included areas such as cybersecurity, investment promotion, and the involvement of Japanese executives in fostering economic ties between the two nations.