Japan to Invite Brazilian President Lula da Silva for State Visit in March 2025
Japan will invite Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for a state visit in March 2025, marking the first such visit since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, currently in Brazil for the G20 summit, will personally extend the invitation to Lula on November 19th.
The visit holds significance as 2025 marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. Brazil, with the largest Japanese diaspora and the largest economy in South America, presents significant opportunities for Japanese businesses, particularly in resources, biofuels, and other sectors.
During the visit, the two countries aim to establish a strategic partnership framework between Japan and Mercosur, the South American trade bloc. This framework will focus on mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, aiming for a "win-win partnership."
While an economic partnership agreement is not on the immediate agenda, discussions will focus on strengthening supply chains for commodities like feed grains and rare metals, as well as cooperation on economic security.
Japan and Brazil, along with Germany and India, are members of the G4, a group seeking permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council. Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Brazil in May 2023 reaffirmed close cooperation with Lula ahead of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations in 2025.
Lula's visit in March 2025 will be accorded the highest level of hospitality, including a banquet hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace. The last state visit to Japan was by then-U.S. President Donald Trump in May 2019.