Keidanren and the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) held a Plenary Meeting of the Brazil-Japan Business Council over two days, on September 13 and 14, 2022. The meeting was held in a hybrid format, with attendants both at the Tokyo venue and online, composed of business leaders from the Japanese section, led by Tatsuo Yasunaga, Chair of the Japan-Brazil Economic Committee, and from the Brazilian section, headed by CNI President Robson Braga de Andrade and the Chairman of the Brazil-Japan Business Council, Eduardo de Salles Bartolomeo.

The international order, which forms the basis of global economic activities, is in disarray as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In addition, the international business environment is facing increasing challenges due to factors such as the worldwide increase in commodity prices, unstable energy and food supplies, and the vulnerability of the supply chains. Furthermore, responding to climate change has become an issue that can no longer be put off in view of the abnormal weather occurring on a global scale.

Faced with this situation, the business sectors of Japan and Brazil exchanged information and opinions at this meeting on issues that both economies are facing in their struggle to recover from the pandemic. They also presented their perspectives on emerging industrial trends in areas such as digital and green transformation. The two delegations also agreed that Japan and Brazil should cooperate closely in addressing issues such as resource, energy, and food security and responding to climate change, which are priority issues not only for the two countries, but also for the world.

Japan and Brazil share the common values of freedom, democracy, rule of law, and respect for basic human rights. They must cooperate with toward preventing divisions in the world and rebuilding a free and open international economic order, to promote the global economic activities of their companies.

As part of this effort, we expect the Japanese and Brazilian governments to take immediate steps towards the early conclusion of a Japan-Mercosur EPA. The business sectors of both countries will cooperate closely with their governments to expedite this process in order to strengthen economic bilateral relations.