Japan-Mexico Relations
Japan-Mexico Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
August 3, 2026
On August 3, commencing at 12:10 p.m. local time (3:10 a.m. on August 4 Japan time) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Mexico, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States. Subsequently, commencing at 1:30 p.m. (4:30 a.m. on August 4 Japan time) for approximately 60 minutes, a working lunch was held with Secretary Velasco.
1. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
- At the outset, Secretary Velasco expressed, on behalf of the people and Government of Mexico, condolences and solidarity regarding the loss of many lives and the extensive damage caused by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake along with his welcome for Minister MOTEGI’s visit to Mexico. In response, Minister MOTEGI expressed his appreciation for the solidarity extended. Secretary Velasco also stated that Mexico wishes to further strengthen its relationship with Japan, taking the opportunities of the 130th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Mexico next year and the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations the year after, and Minister MOTEGI stated that, with the upcoming anniversary events also in mind, he would like to elevate the Japan-Mexico bilateral relationship to new heights under the current severe and complex international situation.
- The two ministers concurred on aiming to hold the first meeting of the “Japan-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue” within this fiscal year, in order to strengthen strategic dialogue in a wide range of areas including economic security, such as enhancing the resilience of supply chains. Minister Mogi referred to Japan’s import of 1 million barrels of crude oil from Mexico confirmed during the Japan-Mexico Summit Telephone Call in April, and the two ministers also concurred on further strengthening bilateral cooperation, including the continuation and further strengthening of cooperation in the energy sector, as well as the advancement of cooperation in the field of science and technology. In addition, the two ministers concurred on establishing a Director-General-level Joint Task Force to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, including from a medium- to long-term perspective.
- Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI asked for cooperation in creating a favorable business environment for Japanese companies in Mexico, and Secretary Velasco responded that the presence of Japanese companies in Mexico is important for Mexico as well and that the Government of Mexico intends to listen to the voices of Japanese companies and work toward strengthening economic relations between the two countries. They also concurred on further deepening their cooperation in development cooperation, including through the Japan-Mexico Partnership Programme (JMPP), such as efforts toward addressing the sargassum issue.
- Minister MOTEGI and Secretary Velasco concurred on continuing to cooperate under the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) framework as well.
2. Working Lunch
- Secretary Velasco explained U.S. - Mexico relations and the situation in the Latin America and Caribbean, and stated that Mexico intends to cooperate, including through the use of regional frameworks, to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and the Latin America and Caribbean region.
- Minister MOTEGI and Secretary Velasco also exchanged views on the increasingly severe situation in the Indo-Pacific. Secretary Velasco stated he would like to promote Mexico’s relations with ASEAN, and in response, Minister MOTEGI, while referring to Japan’s long-standing cooperation with ASEAN countries, stated that Japan would cooperate in strengthening Mexico-ASEAN relations. They also concurred on continuing to strengthen cooperation in international fora, including cooperation within frameworks such as the G20.