Japan's Diplomacy towards the Region

• To ensure long-term stability (as a condition for peace & prosperity)
• To reinforce democracy & free market economy
• To strengthen mechanism of international cooperation
• To develop better relationships between Japan & the Region

l) Support for the "Two Ds" and the cooperation on the global issues

Democracy & Development

1. Positive bilateral cooperation through ODA, etc.
2. Support of efforts of international bodies such as U.N. & OAS for democracy (e.g. monitoring general elections)
3. Policy coordinations with donor countries & international organizations such as the World Bank

Tackling Trans national Issues

1. Positive economic & technical cooperation for protecting environment (e.g., Mexico, Brazil, etc.)
2. Financial & technical cooperation on narcotic issues (e.g., Financial cooperation with OAS)

2) Enhancement of political dialog & widening the scope of mutual relationship

Dialogue with Rio Group (RG) Foreign Ministers

• Japan-RG Annual Talks
  • since '89 on the occasion of UN General Assembly

• Japan-RG Troika Consultation

• Japap-RG High-level Economic officials Meeting
  • Began in June 96 (Tokyo)

Better Understanding with Central America & the Caribbean

1. The First Japan-Central America Forum for Dialogue and cooperation. (in El Salvador, November 95)
2. Japan-Caricom Annual Talks since July 93

Dialogue with principle subregional economic integrations

• The first Minister-level Meeting with MERCOSUR in September 95

Promotion of bilateral dialogues with major countries in and around the region

1. Annual and/or ad hoc talks at working levels with members of the region
2. Annual consultations with U.S. & U.K., etc
3. Promotion of interchange between the private sectors incl. cultural & academic community

2) Commemorative year of Amity and Immigration

• Japan & Brazil, to celebrate the Centenary of the Conclusion of the bilateral Treaty of Amity & Commerce implemented a variety of commemorative events in 95
• Commemorative events with :
    Paraguay/1996
    Mexico & Chile/1997
    Argentina/1998
    Peru/1999