Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is about to wrap up his six-day trip to France, Brazil, and Paraguay. And he has highlighted what was achieved during his trip.
Prime Minister Kishida held a news conference in Sao Paulo.
Kishida said: "It is necessary to firmly demonstrate our commitment to upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and to expand the circle of cooperation. I took into account the issues and circumstances each country is facing, and took detailed measures that are unique to Japan, and kept these points in mind during this visit."
The prime minister spoke first about his visit to Paris. There, he addressed the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
They also agreed on a statement backing principles and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence.
Kishida also met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
On bilateral ties with France, Kishida said that he and Macron were able to lay the groundwork to strengthen security ties between the two nations.
Kishida said: " In a meeting with President Macron, we have had detailed discussions on the latest situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and East Asia in terms of bilateral relations. And we were able to produce concrete results by agreeing on the commencement of negotiations on the Japan-France Reciprocal Access Agreement."
Kishida then spoke about his first visit to South America as prime minister to strength the ties between Japan and the "Global South". In a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the leaders agreed on a Green Partnership Initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In Paraguay, he met President Santiago Pena. The two leaders agreed on the further expansion of the scope of cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.
Prime Minister Kishida vowed to strengthen bonds with the entire Central and South American region in a diversifying international community.
Kishida stressed that he was able to reach out to global leaders on the importance of maintaining a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
Kishida said:" We will realize a world that protects human dignity. Toward this fundamental common goal, Japan will provide detailed cooperation that is typical of Japan, with diversity and inclusion, to various countries, including those in Latin America."
Kishida will return to Japan on Monday.