Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

【Report】SPF Invitation Program for Young Brazilian Nikkei Politicians

February 19, 2026

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), as a private organization, has been promoting “Track 1.5 diplomacy,” which fosters international exchange among policymakers. Since FY 2025, SPF has been advancing initiatives to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen collaboration between Nikkei communities in South America and Japan through exchange programs involving politicians and other key figures.

In 2025, marking the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil, SPF invited five young politicians and opinion leaders from Brazil. Through this program, SPF aimed to build next-generation networks within the Nikkei communities of both Japan and Brazil and to further promote mutual understanding.

Invitees
Listed in order of official position; no particular order among individuals

Kim Kataguiri – Member of the Federal Chamber of Deputies
Pedro Aihara – Member of the Federal Chamber of Deputies
Rodrigo Hayashi Goulart – Member of the São Paulo City Council
George Hato – Member of the São Paulo City Council
Claudio Kurita – Board Member, Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture and Social Assistance (Bunkyo)

Day 1 – Monday, January 26, 2026

Courtesy Visit to SPF President Atsushi Sunami
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Atsushi Sunami, president of SPF. During the meeting, they exchanged views on SPF’s initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Nikkei community in Brazil, as well as on future possibilities for exchanges between Japan and Brazil.

Visit to Benesse Corporation
The delegation visited Benesse Corporation in Tama City, Tokyo, where they received a briefing on Japan’s education system and current educational landscape. They also learned about the company’s online education services and the operational overview of its game-based learning tools.

Courtesy Visit to H.E. Octávio Henrique Dias Garcia Côrtes, Ambassador of Brazil to Japan
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Ambassador Octávio Henrique Dias Garcia Côrtes, Ambassador of Brazil to Japan. They exchanged views on a range of topics, including the Japan–MERCOSUR Strategic Partnership, reflections on Brazil’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the potential for Brazil’s participation in the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (Green Expo), to be held in Yokohama in 2027, and various societal challenges facing Japan.

Visit to the Supreme Court of Japan
The delegation visited the Supreme Court of Japan, where they received a lecture on Japan’s judicial system, including the functions and role of the Supreme Court. (No photo)

Day 2 – Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Visit to Kanto International Senior High School
The delegation visited Kanto International Senior High School, a private school offering instruction in 10 foreign languages. They received a lecture on Japan’s school system and education administration. The group also observed classes in mathematics and physical education—subjects that align with the participants’ areas of interest. In the physical education class, the school kindly arranged for the delegation to experience kendo firsthand.

Kanto International Senior High School is currently working to expand its international joint exchange program, “Sekai Kyōshitsu” (World Classroom). Following this visit, new participation from Brazil in the program is anticipated.

Joint Reception for SPF and MOFA Invitees
SPF hosted a joint reception with five members of the Federal Senate from Brazil invited under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) program, along with the former ambassadors of Japan to Brazil and other MOFA officials, as well as Japanese scholars specializing in Latin America. The event contributed to promoting exchanges between Japan and Brazil across a wide range of fields.

Courtesy Visit to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii and exchanged views on the friendship and strong ties between Japan and Brazil.

A summary of the meeting is also available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Day 3 – Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The delegation visited Gunma Prefecture for a two day, one night program.

Courtesy Visit to Governor Ichita Yamamoto
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Ichita Yamamoto, Governor of Gunma Prefecture, during which they discussed the friendship and people‑to‑people exchanges between Gunma Prefecture and Brazil, as well as cooperation in fields such as sports and culture. Gunma Prefecture has a sister‑state relationship with São Paulo State, Brazil.

Visit to Yamba Dam and Yokisawa Sabo Dam
The delegation visited Yamba Dam—managed jointly by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and Gunma Prefecture—along with its hydroelectric power facilities, as well as the Yokisawa Sabo Dam, which is designed to prevent sediment‑related disasters. Given the frequent occurrence of natural disasters in Brazil, the participants said that learning from Japan’s extensive experience in disaster prevention and management was highly valuable.

Day 4 – Thursday, January 29, 2026

Courtesy Visit to Mayor Toshiaki Murayama of Ōizumi Town and Visit to Brazilian Community‑Related Facilities
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Toshiaki Murayama, Mayor of Ōizumi Town, who provided an overview of the town’s initiatives to promote multicultural coexistence, including its support for the resident Brazilian community. The group also visited a local supermarket serving the Brazilian community, where the store manager offered an explanation of the facility and its role in the town. In addition, the delegation held an exchange of views with members of the Brazilian community living in and around Ōizumi.

Visit to TS Academy and a Green Onion Farm Operated by a Japanese-Brazilian Nikkei Entrepreneur
The delegation visited TS Academy and a green onion farm operated by Mr. Walter Toshio Saito, a Japanese-Brazilian Nikkei entrepreneur. TS Academy serves both Japanese-Brazilian children and Japanese students. Mr. Saito received the Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2018 in recognition of his contributions to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Brazil.

Day 5 – Friday, January 30, 2026

Courtesy Visit to Mr. Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
The delegation visited JICA headquarters, where they paid a courtesy call on Mr. Hiroyuki Kobayashi, senior vice president in charge of Latin America at JICA. During the meeting, the delegation expressed their appreciation for JICA’s longstanding contributions to the Japanese‑Brazilian community in Brazil.

Public Seminar
SPF hosted a public seminar titled “Japan–Brazil Mutual Understanding Seminar: Beyond the 130th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations.” More than 200 participants joined the event, both in person and online.
For the report on the public seminar, please refer to the link below.

Although opportunities for exchanges with Japanese politicians were limited due to the sudden dissolution of the House of Representatives and the general election in Japan, the program successfully promoted interactions with Japanese students and members of the Brazilian community in Japan. Through the public seminar and other activities, we were able to share with Japanese society the firsthand perspectives of Japanese‑Brazilian politicians and opinion leaders, the importance of strengthening Japan–Brazil relations, and the current situation of Brazilians living in Japan.

SPF will continue to advance initiatives aimed at reinforcing ties among Japan, Brazil, the Latin American region, and Japanese‑Brazilian communities.

Contact Information:
Contact person: Ms. Kaoru Kajigayama
Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program,
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
E-mail: asia@spf.or.jp

Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

【Report】Seminar on Promoting Japan－Brazil Mutual Understanding: Looking Beyond 130 Years of Friendship

The Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program, Sasakawa Peace Foundation(SPF), has invited Nikkei Brazilian politicians, including members of the Federal Chamber of Deputies and São Paulo City Council, for a one week exchange program in Japan. As part of this program, a public seminar was held on Friday, January 30, 2026. The seminar highlighted the significant contributions that Nikkei communities have made to the development of both Brazilian and Japanese societies. It also served as a valuable opportunity to further deepen the importance of mutual exchange between Japan and Brazil.

February 19, 2026

Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program