Mexico and Japan agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and trade during a meeting between Columba Jazmín López, Mexico’s Agriculture Minister and Yamashita Yuhei, Japanese Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The talks focused on expanding market access for Mexican agri-food products, advancing sustainable fisheries and streamlining sanitary protocols, as both countries seek to deepen economic ties amid shifting global supply chains.
Both delegations agreed that international cooperation is a key driver of agricultural development, knowledge exchange and food security, while reaffirming their commitment to continue technical working groups to accelerate trade protocols and promote sustainable fishing practices.
López said the bilateral relationship creates new opportunities to diversify Mexico’s exports to Japan, highlighting products including fresh fruit, avocados, agave-derived products, honey, coffee and cocoa.
The minister also underscored the role of more than 30,000 small- and medium-scale producers participating in the Sembrando Vida program, noting that Mexican cocoa, cultivated in its center of origin, will begin reaching harvest this year and could meet demand in Japan.
“They have improved their living conditions thanks to Sembrando Vida, and we will begin harvesting this year. As cocoa originated in Mexico, we believe Japanese consumers will appreciate this product,” López said.
Yuhei expressed Japan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation on sustainable fisheries, with particular emphasis on Pacific bluefin tuna because of its economic and social importance for fishermen, small-scale vessels and coastal communities across the region.
The two governments also agreed to continue technical discussions aimed at simplifying phytosanitary and animal health procedures while maintaining biosafety standards, reducing inspection times and facilitating trade between both countries.
The meeting comes as Japan seeks to expand its strategic partnership with Mexico beyond agriculture. Toshimitsu Motegi, Japanese Foreign Minister, is scheduled to visit Mexico as part of a Latin American tour focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, security and international affairs.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Motegi’s agenda includes meetings with senior Mexican officials to discuss economic cooperation, supply chain resilience, critical minerals, energy and coordination in support of a rules-based international order.
Motegi said Japan’s priority is to deepen its strategic partnership with Mexico amid global uncertainty and the reconfiguration of international supply chains.
“By firmly defending a free and open international order based on the rule of law and strengthening our cooperation, we will become even stronger and more prosperous together,” Motegi said.
Motegi outlined five priorities for expanding bilateral cooperation. The first focuses on strengthening economic relations through trade, investment and more resilient supply chains. He noted that bilateral trade has tripled since the Mexico-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force and that more than 1,600 Japanese companies currently operate in Mexico, the highest concentration in Latin America.
AloJapan.com