Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Rio de Janeiro in November. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The final details are being worked out for a state visit to Japan next month by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

According to several government sources, Lula’s visit is to take place from March 24 to 27.

This would make him the first state guest since U.S. President Donald Trump visited in May 2019. State visits had been put off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lula’s visit is to mark the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil.

Government officials want to strengthen ties with Brazil, a key member of the increasingly influential Global South group of newly developed and developing nations.

Arriving in Japan on March 24, Lula will meet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako the following day and attend a dinner reception at the Imperial Palace.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will meet Lula on March 26 and a joint statement is expected to address the need to maintain and strengthen the international order.

According to a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official, Lula is expected to bring with him a delegation of about 100 people, including business executives.

Those executives are expected to meet with their Japanese counterparts to discuss expanding investment in Brazil, which has decreased drastically due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two governments are also working toward signing dozens of economic memorandums related to a carbon-free future, resource development and improved medical care.

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