TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to meet on Wednesday to deepen their countries' strategic partnership.

Japan is hosting Lula as its first state guest in six years, underscoring the importance of Brazil as a major leader in the Global South, and a member of the BRICs group that includes China and Russia.

Lula's four-day state visit through Thursday comes as the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House earlier this year poses challenges to free trade and global efforts to combat climate change. The previous state guest received by Japan was Trump in May 2019 during his first term.

Japan and Brazil share fundamental values such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law, and the summit in Tokyo is expected to be an opportunity for Ishiba and Lula to affirm the importance of the bilateral relationship, which marks its 130th anniversary this year. Brazil has one of the world's largest Japanese diasporas.

Lula and First Lady Janja Lula da Silva had an audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Tuesday.

Brazil is a major exporter of agricultural produce and minerals like iron ore to resource-scarce Japan, which mainly exports industrial products including auto parts to the South American country.

Prior to his visit, Lula's office said the president would urge Japan to open its beef markets as Tokyo has strict restrictions due to concerns about foot-and-mouth disease.

Energy and climate issues are also among the top priorities. Brazil, which gets most of its energy from renewables, is scheduled to host U.N. climate talks in November, after Trump announced his country's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Japan and Brazil reached a minister-level agreement on Tuesday to deepen cooperation on climate change, including over carbon credit markets.