Chapter 2. Keynotes of Japanese Diplomacy
1. Change in its real and illusory aspect
1971 was a year in which the trend toward the multi-polarization of international relations became conspicuous and, at the same time, vigorous efforts were made in various fields to relax tensions. Of course, it would be necessary to ascertain first whether multi-polarization is limited to changes of phenomena or constitutes substantial change. When observing international politics, one tends to be deceived by changes in phenomena. In studying the moves and directions of the world situation and judging what are the basic national interests of Japan, it is necessary not to lose an unprejudiced, cool and realistic attitude.
2. Awareness of international position and responsibility
In this fluid and changing age, although Japan has no military power comparable to those of the three countries of the United States, the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, it occupies a position of leadership in the world economy, along with the United States and Western Europe. Accordingly, it has great international influence and responsibility commensurate with that position. This has a particularly important meaning in this age of the multi-polarization of international politics. In the current circumstances where the world is multi-polarized and there is an entanglement of complicated relations of cooperation and contention and of competition and coexistence, with each country trying to maintain and expand its national interests by resorting to, political, economic and cultural measures, a move by one country affects in various ways not only the country at which the move is directed, but also all other third countries as well. Therefore, it is possible to solve a problem that otherwise cannot be settled between two countries through their simple bilateral relations by making it into a multilateral problem. It is also possible that a rash act in bilateral relations will complicate the problem by causing unexpected repercussions on third countries. In other words, multi-polarization enables Japan to expand the range of its diplomatic activities more than ever before and to have diverse options. It is also clear that, on the other hand, Japan is required to take even more prudent and responsible action to meet international expectations and trust.
3. Ensuring national interests through international cooperation
It is also important that Japan does not lose sight of its unique position and the limits of its own ability in the world, at the same time discerning calmly where its national interests lie and acting with moderation.
Needless to say, Japan's national interests are largely dependent on the peace and prosperity of the world. Japan has been able to acquire its national power of today, despite its small land, dense population and limited natural resources, because there has been no large-scale war in the world and because it has been able to live in peace and to share in prosperity with other countries through a system of free economic interchange. For Japan to achieve the construction of a peaceful and affluent society which it hopes for, there must be, first of all, a peaceful and prosperous international society. It means nothing other than that international cooperation is as important as life or death to this country. More than any other country, Japan must choose ways to assure its national interests by respecting the national interests of other countries. This is precisely the reason why Japan has made it a point to establish relations of friendship and trust with all countries by overcoming differences in ideology and social system, while recognizing the existence of such differences, and to contribute to the relaxation of tensions and the realization of economic and social development of the world through international cooperation, and herein lies the keynote of Japan's diplomacy.
4. Challenging history
Japan is determined not to follow the road to becoming a big military power, although it is economically capable of doing so. This is, so to speak, a challenging experiment, unprecedented in history. Many difficulties are expected to lie ahead since Japan has chosen such a unique way of life, and to overcome them and move forward, it must continue to persist in its firm determination and rally the wisdom and efforts of the whole nation.