Japan-Mexico Relations

On August 17, from 16:48hrs local time for approximately 45 minutes, H.E. Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President-elect of the United Mexican States, during his visit to Mexico. The overview is as follows.

1. Minister Kono expressed his congratulations on the victory in the presidential election in July and showed his expectation for further development of the favorable and close bilateral relations, that are based on over 400 years' history, and that marks the 130th anniversary this year since the establishment of diplomatic relations. In response, President-elect López Obrador expressed his expectation for strengthening the relations with Japan in a wide range of fields.
2. Minister Kono, mentioning the intimate bilateral economic relations more than ever before and the fact that 1,182 Japanese companies are investing in Mexico, the largest number in Latin America, requested due consideration for their interests in NAFTA renegotiation. In response, President-elect López Obrador expressed that Mexico attaches importance to Japanese investment for many years and stated that he would try to protect the interests of Japanese companies in Mexico.
3. In addition, Minister Kono stated that he expects to further deepen bilateral relations through cooperation toward the early entry into force and expansion of TPP11, dialogue with the Pacific Alliance, and other means. President-elect López Obrador and Minister Kono shared the view that Minister Kono should engage in close consultations with the next Foreign Minister Ebrard in concrete terms.