Japan deepens ties with Guatemala, a pro-Taiwan ally

Asahi Shimbun

a day ago

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo, left, visits Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at his office in Tokyo on June 10. (Takeshi Iwashita)
Japan has officially upgraded its relationship with Guatemala to a 'strategic partnership,' a move aimed at strengthening ties with countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The agreement was formalized on June 10 during a summit in Tokyo between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo.
'As strategic partners, we will work together across various sectors and enhance our cooperation in the international community,' Ishiba said.
Arevalo echoed the sentiment, expressing a commitment to further developing bilateral ties in a wide range of fields.
The move comes amid increasing Chinese influence in Latin America through expanded trade and economic assistance.
Beijing's growing presence has led several countries in the region to sever ties with Taiwan in recent years.
Guatemala remains one of 12 nations—seven of which are in Latin America and the Caribbean—that still recognize Taipei diplomatically.
In response, Japan has sought to bolster relationships with these countries, particularly those with significant economic and geopolitical weight.
Arevalo's visit coincides with his attendance at the Osaka Kansai Expo, presenting a rare opportunity for Japan to enhance diplomacy with Latin America.
Last month, a similar strategic partnership upgrade was confirmed with Paraguay during President Santiago Pena's visit to Japan for the expo.
Guatemala and Paraguay rank first and second, respectively, in economic output among the 12 pro-Taiwan nations. Together, they account for 82 percent of the group's total gross domestic product and 65 percent of its population.
A Foreign Ministry official noted that engaging with these countries is vital to preventing Taiwan's further international isolation.
'Given their economic significance, it's essential to cooperate with Guatemala and Paraguay to maintain Taiwan's presence on the global stage,' the official said.