Japan-Bolivia Relations
Japan-Bolivia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
February 22, 2024
On February 22, commencing at 3:40 p.m. (local time; 3:40 a.m. on February 23 JST) for approximately 60 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Celinda SOSA Lunda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude for the messages of solidarity expressed by Bolivia in response to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Minister Kamikawa also stated that this year marks the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bolivia as well as the 125th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Bolivia, and expressed her intention to take advantage of this momentum to strengthen bilateral relations through high-level exchanges and other activities.
- In response, Minister Sosa welcomed the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and stated that she shared the desire to take this opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations. Minister Sosa also expressed her desire to continue working closely with Minister Kamikawa as female foreign ministers while valuing women's perspectives. Minister Sosa also expressed her appreciation for Japan's development cooperation with Bolivia and stated that she would like to cherish the ties through the Nikkei community and cooperate in the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
- Minister Kamikawa expressed her desire to strengthen trade and investment relations between Japan with advanced technology, and Bolivia, a country rich in resources such as lithium. In response, Minister Sosa concurred on willingness to strengthen economic ties with Japan and expand exports.
- Minister Kamikawa noted that Japan has been cooperating for Bolivia's development for many years and expressed hope for further cooperation in the field of renewable energy. She also stated that approximately 10,000 Nikkei people (Japanese immigrants and descents) have contributed to the vitalization of Bolivia's local economy and served as a bridge between the two countries.
- The two ministers shared the view that they would continue to communicate with each other in addressing regional and international affairs, such as the situation in East Asia, the response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. Minister Kamikawa also stated that Japan has been vigorously promoting "Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)" as part of major foreign policy of Japan, and that Japan would like to expand its network and to contribute to international discussions in cooperation with Bolivia, referring to the result of the WPS Session on the occasion of the "Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction” held on February 19.