Statement to the press by President Michel Temer after a working meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - Tokyo/Japan
Tokyo, Japan, 19 October 2016
As noted by His Excellency Prime Minister Abe, this is the first visit by a Brazilian President to Japan in almost eleven years. And, as has also been said, I am visiting Japan less than two months after assuming the presidency. I had the privilege of participating in a large Brazil-Japan business group and was also honoured with the chance to be received by the Emperor and now for a very productive working meeting with Prime Minister Abe. And the main message I have conveyed is that Brazil is (...)
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: I have told His Excellency that our priority is to resume growth and create jobs. A priority we have pursued with pragmatism, always grounded on macroeconomic responsibility - hence the fiscal adjustments currently underway in Brazil.
Journalist: In Japanese
President: I mentioned that we are consolidating an environment of legal certainty and regulatory predictability in Brazil, always very aware that the recovery of the Brazilian economy necessarily involves more foreign investment and foreign trade, with Japanese investment playing a key role.
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: We commented with the prime minister that there are almost 700 Japanese companies operating in Brazil today. We want Japanese investments to continue to bring contributions to Brazil's scientific and technological development.
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: I mentioned to His Excellency that we have seen strong interest by Japanese businesses in a number of projects in our Investment Partnership Programme, with emphasis on the infrastructure sector.
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: I also discussed our interest in diversifying our export portfolio with Japan with a larger share of "higher value-added goods.”
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: I also communicated to His Excellency our satisfaction to pass on the Olympic and Paralympic flags to Japan.
Journalist: In Japanese
President: I had the opportunity to reiterate Brazil's support (as we had already announced) to the reappointment of Mr. Yukiya Amano to the position of Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: We talked about democracy, human rights, the G20 and Security Council reform, and our positions converged in all these topics.
Journalist: In Japanese.
President: The agenda of discussions was quite broad. We are strengthening our strategic and global partnership on the basis of Brazilian and Japanese priorities. Indeed, that is how it should be in a democracy: foreign policy must serve the values and interests of society. "Dōmo arigatō".