Others

(a) The shift in the global power balance is accelerating and becoming increasingly complex, and uncertainty over the existing order is growing. Against this backdrop, the direction which Japan’s foreign policy should aim for is, firstly, to protect and deepen the “rules-based international order”. For example, at sea, Japan will work to ensure that every country is in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to further develop the legal order concerning the seas and oceans to effectively address new challenges, such as marine resources. Secondly, Japan’s foreign policy should aim to make new rules to meet the needs of the times. Japan will lead efforts to create rules for the 21st century that can respond to global supply chains, digital economy, etc., such as trade agreements, including the TPP11, the Japan-U.S. Trade Agreement and the Japan-U.S. Digital Trade Agreement.

(b) Japan will engage in development cooperation to bring economic prosperity by increasing every country’s potential, and provide multiple options that underpin freedom and fairness. For the ASEAN region, Japan aims to mobilize USD 3 billion from the public and private sectors over the next three years between 2020 and 2022, including through a total of USD 1.2 billion in overseas loans and investment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in three areas: quality infrastructure development, improving financial access and supporting women, and green investment.

(c) Japan’s foreign policy in terms of “abiding by the rules,” “formulating new rules,” and “increasing options” is the very essence of Japan’s vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” Japan will pursue a consistent foreign policy in order to build “an international order based on free, fair and transparent rules.”