Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Japan!
Tokyo, Mar 25 (EFE).-
Japanese Emperors Naruhito and Masako received Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela on Tuesday at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, as part of the president’s state visit to the country.
Naruhito, wearing an anthracite gray suit and a navy blue tie matching Masako’s suit, who was sitting next to him, welcomed the Brazilian presidential couple at the entrance to the complex’s main courtyard.
The emperors shook hands with the Brazilian president and first lady, who attended the audience dressed in charcoal gray suits and ties, for Lula, and in a red dress with French sleeves, and entered the building after exchanging a few words.
Shortly afterward, the four returned to the courtyard to participate in a welcoming ceremony, also attended by diplomatic and government representatives from both countries.
The reception with Naruhito marks the start of Lula’s official visit to Japan, after he arrived in the country Monday.
The Brazilian presidential couple is scheduled to participate in a banquet in their honor organized by the emperors Tuesday at the Imperial Palace itself.
On Wednesday, Lula will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, with whom he will discuss ways to strengthen areas of bilateral cooperation, such as security and investment.
The Brazilian president is visiting Japan to expand markets for Brazil. He specifically seeks an agreement that would allow Brazilian beef into the Japanese market and to explore the possibility of the country opening negotiations to adopt a free trade agreement with Mercosur, which also includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Japan was Brazil’s third-largest Asian trading partner in 2024, with trade totaling approximately $11 billion and a Brazilian surplus of $148 million.
Lula’s visit comes at a time when Brazil is seeking new markets for products that may be restricted in the United States due to President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policy.
It also comes at a time when Brasilia is seeking alternatives to reduce its dependence on Beijing, the largest destination for its exports, amid the uncertainty generated by the current trade war. Lula will participate Wednesday in a bilateral business forum to explore business opportunities.
The Brazilian president will leave Japan on Thursday for Hanoi, where he is scheduled to meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and with the country’s President Luong Cuong in the following days. EFE mra/lds
