All national dailies reported on Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Latin American trip over the Golden Week holidays. During visits to Barbados, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay, he met with local senior officials including presidents and foreign ministers and affirmed the importance of maintaining the rules-based free and open international order. In his meetings with his Peruvian and Chilean counterparts, the Japanese minister….Read more

NHK reported that Foreign Minister Hayashi visited Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on Monday for talks with his counterpart Brown. The Japanese official pledged support for the Caribbean state’s measures to deal with climate change and bolster its disaster relief capabilities. This was the first visit to Trinidad and Tobago by a Japanese foreign minister.

Saturday’s Yomiuri and Sankei reported that Foreign Minister Hayashi announced at a press conference on Friday that he will visit Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay from April 29 to May 7. The paper noted that this will be the first visit to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados by a Japanese foreign minister. Sankei wrote that through his….Read more

Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Matsumoto Takeaki met online with Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne on April 25. They exchanged opinions on the creation of international rules on artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of the meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) digital and technology ministers to be held in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, from April….Read more

Jiji Press reported that Canadian Foreign Minister Joly announced on Wednesday that she has appointed Canadian Ambassador to Japan McKay to concurrently serve in the newly created post of Canada’s special envoy for the Indo-Pacific. According to Jiji, Ambassador McKay will work closely with Canadian diplomatic missions in the region and provide advice to the government. 

Yomiuri reported on Saturday that Prime Minister Kishida held a teleconference with his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva for about 25 minutes on Friday. The paper noted that the GOJ has invited the Brazilian leader to the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May. The two leaders reportedly confirmed close cooperation on UN Security Council reform as the two nations are….Read more

Saturday’s Sankei reported that Foreign Minister Hayashi expressed concern at a press briefing on Friday about Honduras President Castro’s announcement that the nation will sever its diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establish diplomatic relations with China. “Taiwan is an extremely important partner with which Japan shares basic values and maintains close economic relations and people-to-people exchanges,” Hayashi said. “We have….Read more

Sankei reported on Saturday that Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno told the press on Friday that Dominican Republic President Abinader will visit Japan from March 31 to April 5. The Dominican Republic leader is expected to meet with Prime Minister Kishida and visit Hiroshima during his stay.

ARATA SHIGENO, Nikkei staff writer   TOKYO — Japanese medical device makers such as Terumo and Nipro have invested heavily in Latin American countries due to advantages in labor costs, location and in reducing their carbon footprint.   In September, Terumo opened a plant in Costa Rica that makes tubing kits used for cardiovascular surgeries. This comes on the heels….Read more

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has newly established within its Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau a “division for collaboration with communities of Japanese immigrants and descendants (Nikkei) in Latin America” to strengthen ties with Nikkei communities throughout Latin America. The division will extend support for these communities’ activities to strengthen Japan’s partnerships with Latin and Caribbean nations.   At….Read more