LIMA, Peru: Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte reaffirmed their countries’ cooperation to build and strengthen resilient supply chains for critical goods including critical minerals, in a joint statement announced after their meeting in Lima, Peru, Sunday.

Peru is rich in mineral resources such as copper and zinc. Ishiba said to Boluarte that Peru is an important partner for Japan including in terms of economic security.

The joint statement noted “opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion anywhere in the world” and stressed “the need to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.”

The two countries also adopted a roadmap for building stronger relationships in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy and security.

Ishiba explained to Boluarte that Japan decided to remove the suspension of visa exemption measures for Peruvian nationals.

In Peru, China’s economic influence is increasing, as shown by the fact that the opening ceremony of a huge seaport in Peru whose construction was led by Chinese capital was timed to coincide with a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima.

Ishiba aims to boost Japan’s economic security ties with Peru through the efforts to establish reliable supply chains.

“Japan and Peru will work together to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order through defense cooperation,” Ishiba told a joint press conference with Boluarte held after their meeting.

JIJI Press