The house stood at the end of a dusty, unpaved road.
It was the home of former Uruguayan President José Mujica, located in the outskirts of the capital, Montevideo (photo above).
Mujica was known for living in a modest house and, at times during his presidency, driving his own car. In front of the house there was a small prefab guard booth, yet the fence was low enough for anyone to easily climb over. That low fence seemed to reflect the closeness he maintained with ordinary citizens.
Mujica served as Uruguay’s president from 2010 to 2015 and passed away this May. His lifestyle earned him the reputation—widely reported even in Japan—as “the world’s poorest president.”
At the heart of Mujica’s philosophy was the belief that “politicians must live at the same level as ordinary people.”
If a leader cannot experience the hardships of common life, he argued, he cannot truly improve it—a conviction that feels undeniably persuasive once you hear it.
Around the world, presidential residences are often lavish, hosting state banquets for visiting dignitaries—settings far removed from everyday life. In truth, such opulent palaces and banquets are unnecessary. Secure housing is of course essential, but even a simple meal costing no more than about 10,000 yen per person would suffice.
When you hear “Uruguay,” what image comes to mind? Perhaps a South American soccer powerhouse, or the “Uruguay Round” of global tariff negotiations. Many people might struggle to think of much else.
Yet Uruguay stands out in Latin America in several remarkable ways.
First, public safety.
Across the region, deep economic disparities and the reach of drug cartels have led to serious crime problems. Uruguay, however, is known for its relatively small wealth gap and comparatively limited cartel influence.
Walking through Montevideo, one rarely encounters neighborhoods that feel dangerous; the usual tension of traveling in parts of Latin America is noticeably absent.
Second, the strength of democracy.
Latin America is often stereotyped as politically unstable, but—aside from exceptions like Venezuela and Nicaragua—many countries now hold democratic presidential elections and transfer power peacefully.
On this point, the region is ahead of much of the Middle East and Africa.
Uruguay, in particular, has held regular presidential elections and achieved peaceful changes of government without major disruption since its return to civilian rule in 1985. This democratic stability forms the bedrock of its security.
Third, low levels of corruption.
As Mujica’s humble lifestyle illustrates, those in power rarely exploit their position for personal gain.
This relative lack of corruption also makes Uruguay an attractive place to do business.
In Japan, Latin America seldom makes the news, and Uruguay even less so.
Yet I believe the country has significant potential as a business hub in South America. It is a nation well worth watching in the years ahead.