Foreign Relations of Japan - South America

Argentina maintains an embassy in Tokyo and Japan maintains an embassy in Buenos Aires. Diplomatic relations were restored by the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1952. Argentine president Arturo Frondizi visited Japan in 1960, and subsequently bilateral trade and Japanese investment into Argentina have increased in importance. Japanese imports were primarily foodstuffs and raw materials, while exports were mostly machinery and finished products.

Members of the Imperial Family of Japan have visited Argentina on a number of occasions, including Prince and Princess Takamado in 1991, Emperor and Empress Akihito in 1997 and Prince and Princess Akishino in 1998. Argentine President Raúl Alfonsín visit Japan in 1986, as did President Carlos Menem in 1990, 1993 and 1998.

• The Brazilian government declared war on the Japanese Empire on 22 August 1942.

• During World War II, relations between both countries were severed. In 1943, President Juan Antonio Ríos suspended relations with Japan and in February 1945, he declared an "state of belligerancy". Finally, on 12 April 1945, Chile declared war against Japan. Relations were re-established by the signing of San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1952.
• Japan has an embassy in Santiago de Chile
• Chile has an embassy and a consulate-general in Tokyo and three honorary consulates in Osaka, Sapporo and Nagasaki.

The relationship was officially established in 1908, only interrupted between 1942 and 1954 with the surge of World War II. Relations are mostly based on commercial trade that has favored Japan interests such as Colombian coffee (which Japan exports a lot), cultural exchanges and technological and philanthropic aid to Colombia.

• Commercial relations started prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations. Trade agreement was signed in Asuncion on 17 November 1919.
• Japan has an embassy in Asuncion.
• Paraguay has an embassy in Tokyo.
• There are around 7,000 Paraguayans who are of Japanese descent, whose ancestors came to Paraguay between 1936 and 1959. (See also Japanese Paraguayan)
• Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Paraguay
• Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Relations about relations with Japan

• Japan has an embassy in Montevideo.
• Uruguay has an embassy in Tokyo.
• There are a few hundred people of Japanese descent living in Uruguay. (See also Japanese Uruguayan)
• Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Uruguay

Formal diplomatic relations between the countries were established in August 1938. Venezuela broke off diplomatic ties with Japan (and the other Axis Powers) in December 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1999, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a three-day trip to Japan. He made another two-day trip in 2009, during which he met Prime Minister Taro Aso.