Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on his first visit to the country. During their meeting in Brasilia, Lula urged Kishida to consider buying Brazilian beef, a market that Brazil has been pursuing access to since 2005. Lula emphasized the quality and affordability of Brazilian beef compared to that of the U.S. and Australia, the top beef suppliers to Japan. Brazil has made significant strides in boosting beef exports under Lula’s leadership, with 50 countries lifting restrictions since the beginning of 2023.
Despite a recent meat scandal, Brazil has been actively reassuring foreign countries of the quality and safety of its beef. The nation exported over 2 million pounds of beef in 2023, making it the world’s largest beef exporter. The Brazilian government has made efforts to improve the sanitary conditions in the cattle industry, particularly in areas free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. The cattle industry, however, has also been linked to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado, a tropical savanna region. Japan and Brazil agreed to collaborate on restoration initiatives in the Cerrado’s degraded areas, in addition to agreements on cybersecurity, investment promotion, and other areas.
During their bilateral meeting, Kishida expressed his interest in enhancing Japanese and Brazilian cooperation in environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development. He mentioned Japan’s recent $3 million contribution to Brazil’s fund to protect the Amazon rainforest. Both countries see significant potential for collaboration in addressing global challenges. Kishida conveyed solidarity with the victims of floods in Rio Grande do Sul and highlighted the shared values and ties between Japan and Brazil, which is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan.
Brazil and Japan have a rich history of cultural and economic exchange dating back to the early 20th century when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil. The two countries have a strong relationship that transcends business and trade, reflecting the deep connections shared by their respective citizens. Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Brazil included meetings with officials, the Japanese community, and business representatives to strengthen ties and explore opportunities for cooperation. His trip also included engagements in Paraguay before returning to Brazil for further meetings and engagements with the Japanese community and academic institutions.
Overall, the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Brazil was marked by discussions on enhancing cooperation in various areas, including trade, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Brazil’s President Lula emphasized the importance of expanding access to the Brazilian beef market to Japan, highlighting the quality and affordability of Brazilian beef compared to other suppliers. Both countries recognized the potential for collaboration in addressing global challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual understanding. The visit underscored the longstanding relationship between Brazil and Japan, characterized by shared cultural heritage, economic cooperation, and a commitment to building a sustainable future together.
