Japan makes play for resources with Ecuador, Mercosur outreach

TradeTokyo looks to diversify sources for crude oil, rare earthsJapanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with his Ecuadorian counterpart Roberto Kury Pesantes in the South American country on Aug. 6. (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)RINTO HORIKOSHIAugust 8, 2026 01:56 JSTTOKYO -- Japan is moving to expand trade cooperation with South America, following up on a recent preliminary agreement with the Mercosur trade bloc with plans to form another with Ecuador as Tokyo seeks to bolster economic ties with the resource-rich region.