Highlights of the Diplomatic Bluebook 2011

April 11, 2011

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released the Diplomatic Bluebook 2011 on April 1 detailing developments in Japan's foreign relations in 2010. In presenting the annual report to a Cabinet meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto noted Japan is now facing its greatest national crisis since the Second World War in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011 and the MOFA will make every effort in conducting diplomacy so that Japan will overcome the difficult times ahead and recover. He also remarked that the international situation faces changes in the balance of power stemming from the rise of emerging countries and the increasing influence of non-state actors caused by globalization. Under such a situation, Japan has endeavored to deepen its alliance with the United States as the cornerstone of its diplomacy and security and to promote relations with neighboring countries, he said. Furthermore, Japan has proactively addressed challenges facing the international community such as climate change and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation while giving priority to economic diplomacy with a view to reinforcing national strength, he added.

The Diplomatic Bluebook 2011 is organized as follows. Chapter 1 "Overview: International Situation and Japanese Diplomacy in 2010" presents a broad review of the international situation and Japan's diplomatic efforts in 2010. Chapter 2 "Japan's Foreign Policy by Region" and Chapter 3 "Japan's Foreign Policy in Major Global Issues" note the important developments during 2010 by region and issue. Chapter 4 "Japanese Diplomacy Open to the Public" explains the efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support Japanese citizens and companies abroad, as well as efforts to bolster Japan's overall diplomatic strength, which include cooperation with local governments and communities in Japan and reinforcing Japan's diplomacy implementation structure.

The following are highlights of the Diplomatic Bluebook 2011:

Chapter 1 Overview: International Situation and Japanese Diplomacy in 2010

• While presently enjoying prosperity overall, the international community faces two major changes: (1) vicissitudes in the balance of power stemming from the rise of emerging countries and (2) the increasing influence of myriad non-state actors caused by globalization. The world today is truly in a period of transition.
• In many cases the formation of an international consensus became more complex and difficult in 2010. In Addition, the international community must continue to address the important issues such as failed states, expanded threats by non-state actors, and poverty in developing countries.
• Furthermore, a trend of the political impact from the advance of information technology emerged in particular during 2010. The global spread of the Internet and other information and communications technologies, which encompasses developing countries, has greatly expanded the ability of individuals to directly influence domestic and international politics. In December an anti-government democratization movement emerged across Tunisia and this wave then spread to Egypt as large-scale demonstrations. The important issue will now be how these countries can peacefully realize democratic and stable nation-building.
• The security environment surrounding Japan is increasingly uncertain and there exists uncertainty and instability in the region. Japan is working to deepen and further develop the Japan-U.S. alliance, which serves as the cornerstone of the country's foreign and security policy.
• In addition, Japan advanced economic diplomacy as well as global issues such as growth in developing countries and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
• Diplomacy must play a great role in further securing and advancing the national interest precisely because this is a period when Japan is facing great change.

Chapter 2 Japan' s Foreign Relations by Region

• The Asia-Pacific region is becoming increasingly important for Japan both economically and politically. The realization of an Asia-Pacific region that is prosperous, stable, and open is indispensable for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Japan. Japan will further deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. alliance. While advancing bilateral relations with neighboring countries, Japan is also positively contributing toward strengthening frameworks for regional cooperation.
• While deepening a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" as the world's second and third largest economies, China and Japan must work to resolve the various issues between them from a broad perspective.
• Japan and the United States are allies sharing basic values and strategic interests, and the Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy and a public good for the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the entire world. Japan and the United States have repeatedly agreed on further deepening and developing the Japan-U.S. alliance to adapt to the evolving challenges of the 21st century with the three main pillars of security, economy, and cultural and people-to-people exchange.
• To further advance its relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries, Japan is conducting diplomacy for this region emphasizing the three pillars of (1) strengthening economic relations, (2) supporting the stable development of the region, and (3) advancing coordination in the international arena.
• It is vitally important for Japan to strengthen its relations with Europe to effectively respond to global issues such as climate change, terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as global economic and financial issues.
• Japan's policy remains constant in its aim to resolve the issue of the Northern Territories, which is the main pending issue between Japan and Russia, and conclude a peace treaty. While working to resolve the territorial issue based on agreements and documents produced by both countries and on the principles of law and justice, Japan will make efforts to develop relations with Russia in all areas, including economic relations.
• The Middle East and North Africa occupies a geopolitically important location and supplies large quantities of oil and natural gas. Thus, the peace and stability of this region is directly tied to the peace and stability of the entire international community. Japan welcomes the progress of political, economic, and social reforms in the Middle East region, such as realizing the "rule of law" and freedom of speech in accordance with the conditions of each country and intends to provide political and economic support.
• Considering present conditions in Africa, Japan continued to actively advance measures for Africa in 2010, through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process with contributions to peace and stability and support for independence and development as the main axes.

Chapter 3 Japan' s Foreign Policy in Major Global Issues

• Conditions on the Korean Peninsula remain unstable, and the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly uncertain. At the same time, China's enhancement of military strength, which lacks transparency, and its more active maritime activities are of concern to the region and the international community. Moreover, the world today faces new issues and threats such as terrorism. Japan must pursue a multifaceted security policy to address non-traditional threats of attacks by non-state actors. This will allow Japan to respond to such security issues and ensure sustainable prosperity and development, as well as the stability of the international community.
• Japan is also actively advancing efforts for disarmament and non-proliferation to improve the security environment surrounding the country. Based on its moral obligation as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, Japan is advancing efforts with like-minded countries toward realizing "a world without nuclear weapons." Japan takes a leading role in strengthening the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
• Japan has actively contributed to diverse efforts by the international community based on the understanding that ensuring the peace and prosperity of the international community upholds the security and prosperity of Japan, and that Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other forms of international cooperation are important means to such ends. In working toward achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Japan is advancing efforts centered on the fields of health and education in particular, based on the concept of human security.
• Global environmental problems such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity threaten life on earth and pose grave threats to the survival of humanity. Japan has positioned efforts to address global environmental problems as a top diplomatic priority and is taking the initiative in global deliberations.
• Japan must actively advance economic diplomacy to strengthen its economy as the conditions inside and outside the country become increasingly severe, with a more fluid international situation. Specifically, Japan will actively advance efforts in the fields of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), securing natural resources, energy and food, infrastructure export, and promotion of inbound tourism.
• Concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, Japan has begun gathering information and initiating consultations based on the Basic Policy on Comprehensive Economic Partnerships.
• Japan promotes public diplomacy through public relations overseas cultural and people-to-people exchanges to improve the image of Japan and boost affinity toward Japan in each country. Japan must positively publicize its strengths to the world to achieve success with the New Growth Strategy being advanced by the government. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reinforcing its public relations efforts with other concerned government ministries and agencies, and with other organizations in all related fields.

Chapter 4 Japanese Diplomacy Open to the Public

• It is important to maintain and to strengthen structure for diplomatic activities, as well as to coordinate with various internationally active organizations and to advance an "all-Japan" agile diplomacy to secure Japan's national interests in the international community and respond properly to diverse issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advancing further rationalization and efficiency measures and will also reassign overseas diplomatic personnel to newly emerging economies, resource-producing countries, and countries in which new diplomatic establishments are being opened as needed.
• It is extremely important for Japan to strengthen the competitiveness of Japanese enterprises and individuals overseas and to achieve a strong economy, as the international economic environment is changing. The Ministry broadly collects opinions from Japanese enterprises, and it responds to inquiries and requests from Japanese enterprises. The Ministry also holds dialogues and discussions on regulatory reform and improvements to the business environment with different countries, and it seeks improvements in each country and region.