ブラジル大統領、国賓で来月２４日来日

　政府は１４日、ブラジルのルラ大統領夫妻を３月２４～２７日の日程で国賓として招くことを閣議決定した。外国要人の国賓招待は２０１９年５月の１期目のトランプ米大統領を最後に、新型コロナウイルス感染拡大の影響で途絶えていた。ルラ氏は滞在中、石破茂首相との首脳会談や、天皇、皇后両陛下との会見、宮中晩さん会を予定する。
　ブラジルは国際社会で発言力を増すグローバルサウス（新興・途上国）の代表格。今年は外交関係樹立１３０年の節目で、林芳正官房長官は１４日の記者会見で「友好協力関係が一段と深まることを期待する」と語った。（2025/02/14-10:59）

The Japanese government decided Friday to invite Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife to the country as state guests over four days from March 24.
   No state visits to Japan by foreign dignitaries have taken place for nearly six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last such visit was made by U.S. President Donald Trump in May 2019 during his first tenure as the leader of the United States.
   During his upcoming visit, Lula is set to hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Also, the Brazilian first couple will meet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and attend an Imperial banquet.
   A leading member of the Global South developing and emerging countries, Brazil is boosting its presence in the international community.
   With this year marking the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference Friday, "We hope friendly and cooperative relations (between the two countries) will deepen further."