Japan-Panama Relations

On August 5, commencing at 11:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. on August 6 Japan time) for 60 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is currently visiting Panama, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. José Raúl Mulino Quintero, President of the Republic of Panama. Subsequently, commencing at 12:40 p.m. local time (2:40 a.m. on August 6 Japan time) for 60 minutes, Minister MOTEGI held a working lunch with the President.

1. President Mulino welcomed Minister MOTEGI’s visit to Panama, and expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support to date, stating that Panama aims to strengthen its relations with Japan and become a strategic partner. In response, Minister MOTEGI stated that the momentum is higher than ever for further strengthening relations with Panama, an important partner with which Japan shares common values and principles.
2. The two sides shared the view that maintaining and developing the maritime order is a vital interest for both maritime nations. They concurred that, amid the significant changes in the international situation, it is important to jointly uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law, including at sea.

1. Minister MOTEGI explained about Updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” and stated that Japan intends to advance more tangible cooperation with like-minded countries, such as Panama, toward enhancing their autonomy and resilience. In response, President Mulino expressed his appreciation for Japan’s efforts, and both sides concurred on advancing concrete cooperation.
2. Minister MOTEGI stated that, as part of its initiatives under FOIP, Japan has promoted joint efforts by the public and private sectors that contribute to tackling the challenges facing Panama. The two sides concurred on continuing to create new growth opportunities by leveraging the technologies and expertise of Japanese companies in a wide range of fields, including ensuring a safe and stable operating environment of the Panama Canal, enhancing the functions of infrastructure such as the Canal and crude oil pipelines, resolving urgent challenges such as waste management, and artificial intelligence (AI).

1. Minister MOTEGI and President Mulino exchanged views on regional affairs, such as the situations in East Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, and concurred on further strengthening cooperation in the international arena, including on United Nations Security Council Reform.
2. The two sides confirmed that they would coordinate closely on their policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue. Minister MOTEGI requested Panama’s continued understanding and cooperation toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and obtained President Mulino’s support.

On August 5, commencing at 10:00 a.m. local time (0:00 a.m. on August 6 Japan time) for 40 minutes, Minister MOTEGI held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with H.E. Mr. Javier Eduardo MARTÍNEZ-ACHA VÁSQUEZ, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama. At the meeting, Minister Martínez-Acha expressed his condolences and solidarity in light of the significant damage caused by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, stated that the way the Japanese people confront adversity serves as a model for people around the world, and referred to the potential for cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction. In response, Minister MOTEGI expressed his appreciation.

1. Minister MOTEGI explained about Updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” for which Minister Martínez-Acha expressed his support. The two Ministers welcomed progress in concrete bilateral initiatives under the Updated FOIP, such as the functional enhancement of the Panama Canal, including cybersecurity, and the development of critical infrastructure through unified efforts by the public and private sectors, and concurred on further promoting cooperation.
2. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI stated that it would be meaningful to leverage the technologies and expertise of Japanese companies in resolving the urgent challenges facing Panama, including traffic congestion and increases in waste, and expressed Japan’s intention to create new opportunities through cooperation between the public and private sectors. Minister Martínez-Acha expressed his gratitude for Japan’s cooperation to date, including for the Panama Metropolitan Area Urban Transportation Line-3 Development Project, and stated that Panama would continue to work with Japan to tackle the challenges.