The president of Paraguay has indicated that he will urge Japan to increase imports of agricultural products from the South American country.
Santiago Pena Palacios spoke to NHK on Tuesday in Tokyo ahead of his planned talks with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on Wednesday.
Paraguay is the last country in South America that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Many Central and South American countries switched their diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
Pena said it is difficult to maintain or strengthen ties with Taiwan. But he expressed willingness to keep the relations, saying they share the same values, such as freedom and democracy.
Pena said the most difficult part is his country has no direct access to the huge Chinese market for Paraguay's agricultural exports including beef and soybeans.
He also said the government faces pressure from local producers who want to export to China.
He suggested that if Paraguay can boost exports to Japan and other Asian countries to ease the farmers' frustrations, the government will not have to make political decisions that run counter to its principles and values.
Pena called Paraguay a stable country with economic growth and political development, adding that it can meet global demand for food and clean energy.