Japan-Paraguay Relations
Foreign Minister Motegi Visits Paraguay
January 7, 2021
On January 7, commencing at 6:30 p.m. local time (6:30 a.m. on January 8 Japan time) for approximately one hour, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is currently visiting Paraguay, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Federico González, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay. Following this, at 7:45 p.m., (7:45 a.m. on January 8 Japan time), he paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Mario Abdo Benítez, President of the Republic of Paraguay, for 40 minutes. The overview of each meeting is as follows. In addition, on his arrival in Paraguay, Minister Motegi also received greetings from representatives of the Nikkei（Paraguayans of Japanese decsent）community and others.
Minister Motegi valuedthat Paraguay attaches particular importance to fundamental values such as democracy that the two countries share, and noted that the activities of the Nikkei community and the support of the Japanese government have contributed greatly to the country’s development. Taking these into account, both countries concurred on strengthening cooperation to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as developing deeper and broader bilateral relations in a variety of areas, including infrastructure, science and technology, and the economy.
Minister Motegi valuedthat Paraguay attaches particular importance to fundamental values such as democracy that the two countries share, and noted that the activities of the Nikkei community and the support of the Japanese government have contributed greatly to the country’s development. Taking these into account, both countries concurred on strengthening cooperation to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as developing deeper and broader bilateral relations in a variety of areas, including infrastructure, science and technology, and the economy.
1 Meeting with Foreign Minister González
- At the outset, Minister Motegi said that he was pleased to be the first Japanese Foreign Minister to make a bilateral visit to Paraguay, and hoped to further develop relations in a wide range of fields, including via the “bridge” nurtured by the Nikkei community which unites the two countries. Minister González extended a welcome to Minister Motegi and paid his respects to the work of the Nikkei community, expressing his hope that this visit would be an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
- Minister Motegi said that there is an increasing need to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and would like to work closely with Paraguay, which places particular emphasis on these fundamental values. He stated that in addition to ongoing assistance in Paraguay’s fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which includes support of 300 million yen for strengthening its healthcare and medical services, Japan plans to provide approximately 9.3 billion yen in loans to help make Paraguay’s electrical system more efficient, expressing his hope that this cooperation will contribute to improving the investment environment of the country. In response, Minister González expressed his gratitude for Japan’s cooperation to date, including in the fight against COVID-19 and the contributions of the Nikkei community. He further stated that he hopes to continue close cooperation, both bilaterally and internationally, in areas such as inflastructure including electricity, roads and others, science and technology, including in the field of space, as well as trade and investment.
- Minister Motegi gave an explanation of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” initiative and of the situation in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and North Korea. Minister González responded that Paraguay places the utmost importance on values such as democracy and the rule of law in its policies. The two countries concurred that they would work together to realize a free and open international order. Minister Motegi also asked for understanding and cooperation in achieving a swift resolution of the abduction issue, for which Minister González offered his support.
2 Courtesy call on President Abdo Benítez
- At the outset, President Abdo Benítez welcomed Minister Motegi’s visit to Paraguay, and stated that he would like to use it as an opportunity to further strengthen relations with Japan, an important partner with shared values, in infrastructure, trade and investment as well as a variety of other areas.
- Minister Motegi said that there is an increasing need to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and that he hopes to work closely with Paraguay, which places particular emphasis on fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, among others. He also stated that the economic relationship between the two countries is developing, including in the agricultural sector, where the Nikkei community have made a profound contribution to the development of the country, and expressed his intention to work together to further expand trade and investment. Accordingly, he announced that Japan planned to provide yen-denominated loans to help make Paraguay’s power system more efficient, expressing his hope that this cooperation will contribute to improving the investment environment, and that cooperation and exchange will expand and develop in a wide range of fields, including space, sports and culture. President Abdo Benítez expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government and the Nikkei community for their contribution to the development of the country, and expressed his wish to nuture these ties while working to strengthen its relationship with Japan.
- Minister Motegi gave an explanation of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” initiative and stated that he would like work together for a free and open international order based on the rule of law. President Abdo Benítez replied that Paraguay hopes to work with Japan while maintaining its firm commitment to values such as democracy.