Summary: Mexico is advancing efforts to strengthen its economic relationship with Japan by monitoring 39 Japanese investment projects and addressing business environment concerns raised by investors. According to the Ministry of Economy, approximately 90% of the operational issues identified over the past five months have been resolved, while both governments agreed to continue cooperation on energy, customs and trade facilitation. High-level meetings led by Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard and Japanese business leaders focused on attracting foreign direct investment, improving regulatory conditions and reinforcing North American supply chains under the USMCA. 

 

 

Mexico is monitoring 39 Japanese investment projects as it works to strengthen its position as a destination for foreign direct investment, following meetings between Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard and senior executives from Japanese companies and business organizations.

According to the Ministry of Economy, authorities have resolved about 90% of the business environment issues identified by Japanese investors over the past five months. During the meetings, both sides also agreed to continue collaboration on energy, customs and trade facilitation to improve investment conditions and strengthen bilateral economic ties.

MBN reported that President Claudia Sheinbaum and Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard held high-level meetings with Japanese corporate leaders and diplomats to strengthen economic cooperation, safeguard regional supply chains, and address regulatory challenges under the USMCA. The bilateral discussions coincide with contrasting shifts in Mexico’s automotive sector during the first half of 2026, where a 44% surge in domestic electric and hybrid vehicle sales, driven heavily by Asian brands, clashes with a 57% drop in domestic electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing destined for the slowing US export market.

Bilateral Investment and Trade Facilitation

The executive meetings focused on securing foreign direct investment and resolving operational friction for Japanese corporations operating within Mexico. The foreign delegation was led by Seiji Kuraishi, president of the Japan-Mexico Economic Committee and advisor to Honda Motor, alongside members of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and the Japanese Ambassador to Mexico, Kozo Honsei.

Japan Strengthens Its Presence In Mexican Manufacturing And Industry

The Japanese delegation reiterated its interest in further strengthening the presence of its companies in Mexico—particularly in the automotive, electronics, and advanced manufacturing industries, as well as the transport sector.

Executives and representatives from companies such as Honda Motor, Toyota Motor de México, Nissan Mexicana, Mazda, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive, Panasonic Holdings, NSK, Mitsubishi de México, ANA Holdings, and All Nippon Airways participated in the meeting, reflecting the importance of the Mexican market to Japan’s investment strategy.

Aguascalientes and Japan an Economic Partnership

Aguascalientes is strengthening its long-standing economic partnership with Japan, one of the state’s largest foreign investors and a key driver of its industrial development. Governor Tere Jiménez’s administration, represented by the Minister of Economic Development Esaú Garza de Vega, met with Takero Aoyama, Consul General of Japan in Leon, to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation and attracting new investment projects. State officials said the discussions reaffirmed Japan’s confidence in Aguascalientes and its strategic role in the state’s industrial growth, reported MBN. 

Garza emphasized that Japanese companies have been instrumental in enhancing the state’s competitiveness by generating economic activity, investment and employment. The meeting focused on advancing collaboration in investment promotion, technological development, innovation and the creation of high-quality jobs, all of which support Aguascalientes’ long-term economic strategy.

Japan has maintained a strong presence in Aguascalientes for decades, particularly through automotive manufacturing and its supplier network. Japanese investment has helped position the state as one of Mexico’s leading automotive and advanced manufacturing hubs while fostering specialized industrial capabilities. By reinforcing ties with Japan, Aguascalientes aims to build on existing partnerships, encourage further expansion by established companies and attract new projects that will strengthen its industrial base and support sustainable economic growth.