Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (R) and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are pictured in Brasilia on Jan. 8, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Foreign Ministry)(Kyodo)

Japan and Brazil agreed Friday to strengthen business ties and coordinate in promoting free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed at their talks in Brasilia that plans to improve the business environment to promote Japanese companies' investment in the South American country would go ahead, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Motegi also earned Bolsonaro's support for Tokyo's plans to host the postponed Olympics and Paralympics this summer, the ministry said. Brazil hosted the previous Summer Games in 2016.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (L) and his Brazilian counterpart Ernest Araujo are pictured in Brasilia on Jan. 8, 2021. (Kyodo)

In separate talks, Motegi and his Brazilian counterpart Ernest Araujo agreed to coordinate in the fields of digital economy and environmental protection, signing a memorandum of understanding on safeguarding the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, it said.

During his five-nation tour of Latin America, Motegi also visited Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. He is set to travel on to Senegal and Kenya before returning to Japan on Thursday.


Related coverage:

FOCUS: Japan, U.S. to boost defense ties with Europe in Indo-Pacific

Japan PM Suga vows to contain virus, hold Olympics in New Year's address

FOCUS: Japan's additional Aegis ships could encourage further arms buildup