Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on his first visit to the country in Brasilia, where they discussed opening Japanese markets to Brazilian beef. Lula urged Kishida to eat at a steakhouse in Sao Paulo and start importing Brazilian beef. Under Lula’s leadership, Brazil has increased efforts to export beef to international markets, with 50 countries lifting restrictions since the beginning of 2023. Brazil exported over 2 million pounds of beef in 2023, making it the world’s largest beef exporter.
The bilateral meeting between Brazil and Japan also focused on cooperation in environmental protection, cybersecurity, and investment promotion. Japan agreed to support restoration initiatives in the Cerrado region of Brazil, a major driver of Amazon rainforest destruction. Kishida expressed solidarity with the victims of floods in Rio Grande do Sul and emphasized the potential for cooperation on global challenges, such as climate change and sustainable development. He highlighted Japan’s recent $3 million contribution to Brazil’s fund to protect the Amazon rainforest.
Brazil is home to the world’s largest Japanese community outside Japan, with over 2.7 million Japanese citizens and their descendants. The first Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil in 1908, with immigration peaking between World War I and II. Prime Minister Kishida also visited Paraguay to attend a business summit and meet the Japanese community. He is expected to return to Brazil to engage with the Japanese community in Sao Paulo, deliver a speech at the University of Sao Paulo, and attend a business meeting.
The cattle industry in Brazil has seen improvements in sanitary conditions, particularly in areas free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination. Brazilian officials emphasized the high quality and affordability of Brazilian beef compared to imports from the U.S. and Australia. Lula encouraged Kishida to explore the potential benefits of importing Brazilian beef and highlighted the nation’s status as the largest beef exporter in the world, shipping to over 90 countries.
The meeting between Lula and Kishida marked a significant moment in strengthening bilateral relations between Brazil and Japan. Both leaders expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation on various fronts, including environmental protection and sustainable development. Japan’s support for restoration initiatives in the Cerrado region aligns with efforts to address the negative impact of the cattle industry on the Amazon rainforest. The visit also highlighted the historical ties between Brazil and Japan, dating back to the early 20th century when Japanese immigrants first settled in the South American country.
