According to a report by Kyodo news agency, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is set to visit Paraguay, Peru, Chile, and Barbados in the lead-up to the G7 summit scheduled to be held in Hiroshima in May. The visit aims to strengthen Japan’s diplomatic ties with these countries and enhance cooperation in various fields such as economy, security, and culture.
The report further highlights that these visits hold significant strategic importance for Japan as it seeks to counter China’s increasing influence in South America, which has been achieved through heavy investment and other means. China has been actively expanding its presence in the region, and Japan is looking to create its own foothold by forging closer ties with these countries.
During his visit to Paraguay, the Foreign Minister is expected to meet with President Mario Abdo Benitez and other senior officials to discuss bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, and energy. In Peru and Chile, he is expected to focus on strengthening economic ties and regional security cooperation.
The visit to Barbados is significant as it will be the first by a Japanese foreign minister to the Caribbean island nation. The visit is expected to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change, disaster management, and tourism.
Overall, these visits are seen as an important step towards strengthening Japan’s diplomatic ties with these countries and countering China’s growing influence in the region.
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