Background on Japan’s Significance in Mexico
Japan, being Mexico’s third-largest trading partner in Asia and the leading Asian investor in the country with over $38 billion accumulated, serves as a strategic platform to diversify exports, integrate innovation, and strengthen value chains.
Japan’s Interest in Expanding Trade with Mexico
Amidst the US tariff war, Japan has shown interest in expanding trade with Mexico and reinforcing ties with Mexican suppliers in sectors such as food, beverages, and automotive. This information was shared by the Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana (Coparmex).
Following the Coparmex Japan 2025 Business Mission, which concluded with solid results strengthening the global outlook of Mexican entrepreneurs, Japanese companies like Toyobo and Gogyofuku expressed interest in expanding relationships with Mexican suppliers, particularly in food, beverage, automotive, medical, electronic, and agroindustrial sectors. They aim to facilitate the integration of Mexican SMEs into global value chains.
Trade Bilateral Relationship and Investment
In 2024, bilateral trade surpassed $23 billion, reflecting a robust commercial relationship that can be further enhanced with strategic vision and business leadership.
Through a press release, Coparmex reported that over ten days, the group of business leaders visited Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo to foster alliances, attract investment, and open real opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in one of the world’s most competitive and sophisticated markets.
The delegation, led by Coparmex’s Vice President of Communications, Armando Zúñiga Salinas, held a meeting at the Mexican Embassy in Tokyo to bolster exports and investment.
Key Meetings and Insights
In Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, the business leaders met with global companies such as Toyobo, Panasonic, Kyocera, Fujifilm, Omron, and NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS. They also participated in leadership and innovation forums with AOTS (Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships) and the Osaka 2025 World Expo.
Toyobo, a company with over 140 years of history, hosted meetings with Panasonic and its Konosuke Matsushita Museum.
In Kyocera and Omron, the importance of humanistic business models and inclusion, placing human talent at the center, was emphasized. Armando Zúñiga commented on Omron’s integration of people with disabilities in productive environments, strengthening corporate culture and generating social value. He also observed how 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and digitalization are revolutionizing entire sectors and opening opportunities to modernize industrial, agricultural, and logistical processes.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Japan’s significance in Mexico’s trade relations?
A: Japan is Mexico’s third-largest trading partner in Asia and the leading Asian investor, with over $38 billion accumulated. It serves as a strategic platform to diversify exports, integrate innovation, and strengthen value chains.
- Q: What sectors is Japan interested in expanding trade with Mexico?
A: Japan is interested in expanding trade with Mexico, particularly in food, beverages, and automotive sectors.
- Q: What was the outcome of the Coparmex Japan 2025 Business Mission?
A: The mission concluded with solid results, strengthening the global outlook of Mexican entrepreneurs and expressing interest from Japanese companies like Toyobo and Gogyofuku in expanding relationships with Mexican suppliers.
- Q: What was the nature of meetings during the business mission?
A: Meetings were held with global companies such as Toyobo, Panasonic, Kyocera, Fujifilm, Omron, and NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS. Participation also included leadership and innovation forums with AOTS and the Osaka 2025 World Expo.
- Q: What key insights did the business leaders gain from their meetings?
A: Business leaders learned about humanistic business models and inclusion, as well as the impact of 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and digitalization on various sectors.
