President Lula’s statement during dinner hosted by Emperor, Empress of Japan

It is with deep satisfaction that I return to the Imperial Palace this evening to celebrate the bonds that unite our countries.

My wife Janja and I are thrilled to return to Japan and we are honored by the reception on this first State visit after the pandemic.

We celebrate 130 years of diplomatic relations, sustained by mutual respect and continuous cooperation.

Our trajectories intertwine and strengthen one another.

Brazil is home to the largest Nikkei community outside Japan.

I salute Empress Masako for her dedication to these communities around the world.

Japan’s contributions to Brazil’s economy, agriculture, industrialization, and culture are immeasurable.

They range from automotive assembly plants to the development of the Cerrado.

From culinary to jiu-jitsu.

From the Liberdade neighborhood to the haicais by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Paulo Leminski, Érico Veríssimo, and Millôr Fernandes.

From Manabu Mabe’s abstract paintings to Tomie Ohtake’s flowing forms.

Many Brazilians also have moved across the world to live in Japan, and today they represent an expressive community, whose creative force contributes to the Japanese innovative spirit.

Your Majesties,

Japan and Brazil are strategic partners.

We share values such as democracy, multilateralism and sustainable development.

In the statement delivered by Your Majesty in Brasilia, in 2018, at the 8th Water World Forum, still as the Crown Prince, Emperor Naruhito appealed to the international community to prioritize sustainable water supply and sanitation.

His concerns could not be more current and relevant.

As a country that is home to the world’s largest tropical forest and freshwater reservoir, and with a vast territorial sea called the “Blue Amazon”, Brazil is committed to a sustainability model based on social inclusion.

We count on Japan’s firm engagement at COP30, in Belém do Pará.

We will welcome Princess Kako de Akishino with open arms next July, for the occasion of the “Brazil-Japan Friendship Exchange Year” celebrations.

Allow me to propose a toast to Your Majesties’ health, to the prosperity of the Japanese people, and to the friendship between Japan and Brazil.

Long live the Reiwa Era!

Thank you very much.

Kanpai!