During a press conference, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the official visit of the Brazilian president, from March 25 to 27, and justified the awarding of the insignia to Lula with the purpose of promoting the friendly relationship between the two countries.

According to the planned agenda, Lula will be received by the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, and will hold a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba.

The visit will cover the political and economic interests of the two countries, with high possibilities of strengthening, according to both parties.

Brazilian official sources declared that Lula will explore Japan’s possible interest in opening trade negotiations with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), an economic bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.

This mechanism also has as Associated States Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname and Panama, the first country outside the South American region to acquire this status.

ef/jav/lam/msm