As Japan and Brazil mark 130 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, the two countries are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation grounded in shared values and complementary strengths. From energy transition and digital innovation to agribusiness and infrastructure, Japan’s footprint in Brazil continues to expand—underpinned by decades of trust and long-term investment.
At the center of this evolving partnership is Ambassador Teiji Hayashi, Japan’s top envoy in Brasília, whose mission reflects both continuity and ambition. With a renewed focus on economic diplomacy, Ambassador Hayashi is working to deepen bilateral ties in priority sectors while promoting collaboration on global challenges. In this exclusive interview, he outlines Japan’s vision for its engagement with Brazil, highlights opportunities for Japanese businesses, and reflects on the enduring significance of this milestone year in bilateral relations.
Bridges: Reflecting on 130 years of diplomatic relations, what do you consider to be the most significant milestones in the evolution of the partnership between Japan and Brazil? How has the nature of this relationship changed over time, and what key factors have contributed to its enduring strength?
Teiji Hayashi: Given the breadth and depths of bilateral ties between Japan and Brazil, it is almost impossible to identify a single event that captures the evolution of our ties. That being said, just looking at some of the nearest events, the waiver of visa requirements for the short-term visitors from Brazil that took effect in September 2023 had a major impact in promoting broader exchanges of people especially from Brazil to Japan. We have already seen more than 70 percent increase of Brazilian visitors to Japan last year. With Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, starting from April, I very much hope many more Brazilian people will visit Japan. We extend our heartfelt welcome to President Lula and the first lady Janja da Silva to Japan as the first guests for the State Visit after the pandemic. This visit will not only reaffirm our strong bilateral relationship but also present our shared vision for the rule of law, multilateralism, as well as commitment to tackle pressing global challenges. To celebrate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako will make an official visit to Brazil in June at the invitation of the Brazilian government. The visit of Her Imperial Highness symbolizes the close bond between the two nations.
In light of the 130th anniversary, what are the most promising areas of opportunity for increased cooperation between Japan and Brazil in the 21st century? Specifically, how do you envision both nations collaborating to address contemporary global challenges, such as sustainable development, technological innovation, and climate change?
The state visit of President Lula and the first lady Janja da Silva to Japan will highlight many areas of existing and future cooperation between Japan and Brazil. Japan and Brazil are staunch supporters of rule-based international order that is the bedrock of global peace and prosperity. Japan and Brazil have been not only a strong business partners for bilateral trade and investment but upheld rule-based multilateral trading system. Being a key country of so-called Global South, Brazil is a critical partner for Japan in maintaining global stability. When we face growing challenges and opportunities created by new technologies including artificial intelligence that affect global economy and society, it will be come all the more critical for the two partners to collaborate. Climate change is another key area that the two nations have worked and will continue to take leadership role. Japan welcomes Brazil’s presidency of COP30 in Belem. The conference in November will be an important occasion to sustain and strengthen the global momentum to address climate change. Japan applauds Brazil’s effort to preserve tropical forest in Amazonia while maintaining sustainable economic growth that benefits the region and the world. Arts, culture, and tourism are another key area that promote mutual understanding and respect. Both Japanese and Brazilian youths are eager to learn respective culture, and this will certainly be the foundation for our shared vision for the future.
Japan and Brazil have been not only a strong business partners for bilateral trade and investment but upheld rule-based multilateral trading system.
Teiji Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to Brazil
The Japanese-Brazilian community has played a very important role in strengthening the ties between our countries. How do you see the role of the Nikkei community in the continued development of the bilateral relationship, and what initiatives are being undertaken to further promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between both nations?
We are deeply grateful for the 2.7 million Japanese Brazilian people who have contributed to the development of Brazilian society and helped deepen the mutual understanding between the two nations. They are the largest group of people of Japanese descent living overseas, and we are always heartened to hear from Brazilian people the respect the Nikkey people receives in the society. Now that the Japanese Brazilian community has moved on to the third, fourth and fifth generations, they are active in all fronts of Brazilian society. Many Nikkey leaders play an important role in the Brazilian Congress, businesses, armed forces, science, and medicine. There are also prominent figures in arts and education. The Japanese government continues to reach out to Nikkey citizens by offering exchange programs to Japan and other various opportunities including scholarships. We also support the 220,000 Japanese Brazilians residing in Japan who will also play an important role in bridging the two societies. The 130th anniversary of our bilateral ties is also a strong reminder of important contribution made by Nikkey Brazilians in both countries.
