「戦略パートナー」に格上げ　日パラグアイ首脳が会談

　石破茂首相は２１日、南米パラグアイのペニャ大統領と首相官邸で会談した。両首脳は２国間関係を「戦略的パートナー」に格上げすることで合意。局長級の「政策協議」を立ち上げることを申し合わせた。訪日時の短期滞在ビザ（査証）の免除措置をスタートさせることでも一致した。（2025/05/21-20:24）

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and visiting Paraguayan President Santiago Pena agreed Wednesday to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.
   During their meeting in Tokyo, the two leaders agreed to launch a bureau-chief-level policy dialogue. They also decided to launch a program exempting Paraguayan citizens from visas for short stays in Japan.
   Ishiba and Pena also confirmed that their countries have reached a substantial agreement in talks to conclude an investment pact.
   The Japanese government aims to encourage Japanese companies to enter the South American market by leveraging Paraguay's position as part of the Mercosur trade bloc.
   Paraguay is the only South American country that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.