Japan, Brazil to launch foreign, defense dialogue as leaders meet

​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Japan and Brazil will begin foreign and defense talks and biennial mutual high-level summit visits, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba said Wednesday.

The announcement came as the Japanese premier hosted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, where the two held talks on increasing their strategic partnership, Kyodo News reported.

“We will begin biennial reciprocal summit-level visits and launch a foreign and defense dialogue with Brazil,” Ishiba said on X, adding that Brazil is “a resource-rich nation and key partner in addressing global challenges, including economic security.”

“Towards this year’s COP 30 (UN Climate Change Conference), chaired by Brazil, we will promote cooperation, including concrete projects under the Japan-Brazil Green Partnership Initiative,” he added.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted Lula on Tuesday in Tokyo as part of the South American leader's four-day visit to Japan.

2025 marks the 130th anniversary of Japan-Brazil diplomatic ties.

In 2008, then-crown prince Naruhito visited Brazil, which hosts one of the world’s largest Japanese diaspora populations.

Brazil is a key exporter of agricultural products and minerals such as iron ore to resource-limited Japan, which primarily exports industrial goods, including auto parts, to the South American nation.