Peruvian President Fujimori eyes Japan visit in November

Sao Paulo and Tokyo (Kyodo) -- Peru's President Keiko Fujimori, the nation's second Japanese descendant to hold the office, is planning a trip to Japan in November, according to government sources. Having assumed office recently, she is contemplating a journey following her participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum's leaders' meeting in Shenzhen, China, which concluded on November 19.

The primary objective of her visit is to bolster bilateral relations, with Japan being a key destination in her initial overseas itinerary.

Fujimori's father, the late former President Alberto Fujimori, had a long-standing relationship with Japan, making frequent visits from 1990 to 2000 when he served as Peru's head of state. Both of Fujimori's grandparents hailed from Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, while her mother's parents originated from Fukuoka Prefecture.

Sources indicate that she is contemplating a visit to Japan post her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, who is scheduled to arrive in Peru from November 11 to 17, and after attending the APEC leaders' meeting in China.

During her electoral campaign in April, Fujimori informed Kyodo News that she intends to make every effort to enhance relations with Japan and expressed her keenness to visit the East Asian nation at the earliest opportunity. Her father, who was toppled from power in 2000 amid a corruption scandal involving close associates, had fled the country in disgrace and subsequently resided in Japan in a form of exile. After relocating to Chile, he contested Japan's House of Councillors election in 2007 while under house arrest.