Japan-Ecuador Relations
Working Dinner Hosted by H.E. Mr. Daniel Noboa, President of the Republic of Ecuador
August 5, 2026
On August 5, commencing at 7:00 p.m. local time (9:00 a.m. Japan time on August 6) for approximately 120 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended a working dinner hosted by H.E. Mr. Daniel Noboa, President of the Republic of Ecuador, during his visit to Ecuador.
- At the outset, President Noboa expressed his welcome for Minister MOTEGI’s visit to Ecuador and stated that, taking Minister MOTEGI’s visit as an opportunity, he wished to further advance the Japan-Ecuador relationship in various fields, including the economic field. In response, Minister MOTEGI stated that Ecuador is a neighbor across the Pacific and an important partner that shares values and principles, and that he wished to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, which will mark the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2028, and President Noboa expressed his commitment.
- President Noboa welcomed the deepening of economic relations with Japan and expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral economic relations. To this end, he requested the early conclusion of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan. In light of this, the two concurred in continuing discussions on ways to further deepen bilateral economic relations across a wide range of fields under the Economic and Trade Committee, having outcomes of the discussion under the Economic and Trade Committee reported to both Foreign Ministers by the end of the year, and exploring the possibility of launching a joint study based on the report.
- In addition, Minister MOTEGI stated that he wished to advance cooperation with Ecuador in areas such as economic security, including strengthening the resilience of supply chains, and energy security. In response, President Noboa expressed his intention to further enhance economic relations with Japan, including through expanding crude oil exports to Japan. The two confirmed the complementary nature of their birateal economic relationship and shared the view that they would continue to advance cooperation across a wide range of fields.
- Minister MOTEGI referred to the importance of the Updated “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and stated that he wished to continue working with Ecuador. President Noboa reiterated his support for FOIP and stated that he wished to advance cooperation.
- In addition, the two exchanged views on the regional situations, including those in the Indo-Pacific, and concurred to continue strengthening cooperation in the international arena.