Tokyo, April 21 - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke by phone on Tuesday and reached an agreement to step up collaboration on energy, Japan's foreign ministry said. The conversation occurred against a backdrop in which the Iran war is disrupting oil and gas supplies worldwide.
According to the foreign ministry, Prime Minister Takaichi put forward a proposal to set up a formal dialogue framework with Mexico. That framework would encompass economic security among its topics and is intended to structure ongoing consultation between the two governments. In addition, Takaichi requested Mexico's cooperation in fostering a business environment favourable to Japanese companies operating in Mexico.
The ministry said the leaders also agreed to enhance trade relations. Those commitments reflect an explicit focus on strengthening ties in areas of mutual economic interest, including energy and resource-related cooperation given Mexico's endowment of mineral resources.
President Sheinbaum described the exchange as "very productive" in a post on X, adding: "We discussed the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries in the areas of investment, trade and cooperation." Her remarks underline the bilateral emphasis on investment and commercial ties alongside energy coordination.
The formal statements from Japan's foreign ministry and the Mexican president highlight three clear strands of engagement: closer energy cooperation in response to supply disruptions related to the Iran war, a proposal for an institutionalised dialogue that would cover economic security, and efforts to promote trade and a conducive operating environment for Japanese firms in Mexico.
While the discussions were presented in official terms, the ministry's account confines itself to the topics agreed and the requests made, without specifying concrete timelines, implementation steps or detailed measures to be taken by either side. The public record of the call therefore outlines policy intent and mutual priorities rather than firm commitments or operational plans.
Contextual note: The statements provided by Japan's foreign ministry and the Mexican president indicate a shared interest in strengthening economic and trade links, with energy cooperation singled out as a priority due to disruptions to global oil and gas supplies associated with the Iran war.