Japan donates dredger to Paraguay, strengthening friendship and trade routes

President Santiago Peña highlighted the symbolic and practical significance of Japan's donation of a dredger, emphasizing its role in bolstering the friendship and mutual trust between Paraguay and Japan. The ceremony, attended by Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, marked a key moment in bilateral relations.

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This donation strengthens our riverine infrastructure and, above all, strengthens the friendship between our nations, mutual trust, and the path we will continue to build together.

Peña underscored the dredger's capacity to maintain the navigability of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, a vital artery for Paraguay's commerce. As a landlocked country, ensuring year-round access to this fluvial corridor is a strategic priority, facilitating over 80% of its trade.

The donation represents years of cooperation, with Japan's International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supporting Paraguay in various development sectors since 1974. Japanese Ambassador Katsumi Itagaki noted the dredger fulfills a long-standing aspiration and exemplifies the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhancing the autonomy and resilience of Paraguay's riverine routes.

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For a landlocked country like ours, Paraguay, having a navigable, reliable, safe, and operational waterway throughout the year is a strategic priority.

The visit by the Japanese royals coincides with the 90th anniversary of Japanese migration to Paraguay, where a significant community of Japanese descendants resides. This occasion also follows the elevation of bilateral relations to "strategic partners" in May 2025.

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This donation constitutes a clear example of cooperation that characterizes this strategic partnership.