Japan Upgrades Strategic Partnerships with Bulgaria, Latvia, Paraguay at Expo 2025

In May 2025, Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru held a series of high-level summit meetings with leaders from Paraguay, Bulgaria, and Latvia during their visits to Japan, coinciding with Expo 2025 in Osaka. These meetings resulted in the signing of joint statements that upgraded Japan's bilateral relationships with Bulgaria, Paraguay, and Latvia to strategic partnerships, reflecting a deepening of diplomatic and political ties. Significant agreements included a Memorandum of Cooperation on Political Consultation Mechanism and a waiver of visa requirements for Paraguayan citizens visiting Japan. Additionally, negotiations on a Japan-Paraguay Investment Agreement reached an agreement in principle. Each summit included joint press occasions and working dinners, underscoring the importance Japan places on these enhanced international partnerships. The engagements signify Japan’s active diplomatic outreach in strengthening ties with diverse nations through formalized strategic cooperation.