Japan Prime Minister Ishiba in Brazil to attend G20 summit

Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is in Brazil to attend a summit of the Group of G20 major economies.

Ishiba arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and other meetings in Peru.

During the G20 summit, the prime minister plans to stress Tokyo’s commitment to tackling international challenges, including poverty and climate change, in cooperation with developing nations.

Ishiba is also expected to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the escalating tensions in the Middle East. He seeks to express his country’s willingness to contribute to the peace and stability of the international community.

Ishiba plans to hold one-on-one talks with G20 leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

He is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Arrangements are being made for the two leaders to agree to launch an economic version of the so-called “two plus two” talks, involving foreign and economy ministers.

Ishiba will also talk separately with the Mexican and Brazilian leaders, in a bid to deepen ties with emerging economies known as the Global South.