Chapter IV. Diplomacy Machine
1. Need for Reinforcement of Diplomacy Machine
Upheaval in the international community centering on the changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe is causing fundamental transformation of the world political and economic orders of the post-World War II era. The world now searches for a new international system to replace the postwar system. Amid the swelling tide of changes, to put moves for desirable reforms firmly in place on a global scale is very important for the future of Japan and its people. Regional conflicts continue to erupt in spite of East West detente and the protection of Japanese nationals overseas poses very serious problems as did the case that followed Iraq's invasion in Kuwait. Thus, tasks for Japan's diplomacy are really great.
One of the most important missions of Japanese diplomacy is to make contributions to the international community primarily on the basis of the "International Cooperation Initiative" with a firm resolve to actively participate in the construction of a new international order. This is because the future of Japan rests solely in a peaceful and prosperous world, and Japan, now a key nation supporting the international order, is expected to make positive contributions commensurate with its international position, to the world. In order to effectively accomplish these missions, it is important for Japan to constantly maintain and upgrade its ability to collect and analyze information related to countries and regions in the world as well as the United Nations and other international organizations and to reflect the findings on its policies. Another important task for Japan's diplomacy is to effectively deal with problems related to safety of Japanese nationals overseas and foreigners in Japan, the problems which have rapidly increased due to Japan's expanding relations with foreign countries. Also important are public relations activities to inform the world peoples about various aspects of Japan, a country now having significant presence in the international community, as well as efforts to promote international exchanges in a variety of fields. The need for these activities is assuming the greater importance.
The accomplishment of these missions rests on 4,233 Foreign Ministry staffers (as of the end of fiscal 1989) working in the ministry offices in Tokyo and 173 diplomatic establishments overseas (embassies, consulates-general, consulates, and permanent missions to international organisations). The current diplomacy implementation machine, however, is not powerful enough to adequately meet such important diplomatic missions and cope with rapid increases of needs for diplomatic activities. In order to effectively respond to a dramatically changing situation in the world, the upgrading and strengthening of the nation's diplomatic implementation machinery are urgently required.
2. Mechanism, Payroll and Budget Enhancement
On the basis of the facts mentioned in the foregoing, the following efforts were made in the past one year regarding the mechanism, the number of payroll, and the budget amid various restrictions.
(1) Mechanism and Number of Payroll
As for the mechanism of the ministry in Tokyo, various reorganization plans were carried out; the Evaluation Division was established in the Economic Cooperation Bureau, and Global Environmental Affairs Division in the United Nations Bureau.
The Evaluation Division is designed to reinforce a system to evaluate Japan's economic cooperation. Japan's ODA increased to around $9 billion in 1989, making this country the largest aid provider in the world. In order to contribute to the economic development and the well-being of the recipient countries through more effective and efficient implementation of ODA, constant efforts are called for to reflect follow-up information obtained from the consummated projects upon the future aid policy and implementation of new projects. It is expected under the new mechanism of the Evaluation Division that evaluation activities will be integrated and reinforced.
On the other hand, the Global Environmental Affairs Division specializes in various tasks relating to the global environmental problems which have become a major concern in the international community. This is the area where Japan, with its human and technological resources, is able to make effective contribution to the world, and where international efforts are to be stepped up. Thus the Global Environmental Affairs Division is expected to properly meet this move.
In addition, two posts of Senior Assistants in charge of Asian-Pacific cooperation and international trade in services were newly established by the ministerial ordinance.
As for diplomatic establishments overseas, an embassy in Cameroon, Africa, and a consulate-general in Edinburgh, England, were newly established. An embassy in Namibia was also established, to which the members of the Japanese mission in Zimbabwe were concurrently assigned, as the country became independent in March 1990. Furthermore, after North and South Yemen were unified in May 1990, the former enbassy in North Yemen became the embassy located in the united Yemen. As a result, the number of Japanese diplomatic establishments abroad (physical establishments) will total 175 as of the end of 1990, namely 108 embassies, 59 consulates-general, 2 consulates, and 6 permanent government missions.
To increase the Ministry's staff, which is a vital force to enhance diplomatic activities, top priority has been given to personnel in charge of information gathering and analysis, and the "International Cooperation Initiative," together with protection of Japanese nationals overseas, handling of problems related to an increase in foreign nationals, and enhancement of duties of the Minister's Secretariat. As a result, the Ministry will be reinforced, in fiscal 1990, by 32 new staffers at the home ministry, 76 at overseas diplomatic establishments totaling 108 people (95 people more than the preceding fiscal year in net) despite severe budget and payroll constraints (Note).
(2) Budget
In the government finance situation which continues to be tight, the Ministry strove to steadily increase its budget again for fiscal 1990, as in the preceding year, giving priority to the three points below. As a result, the Ministry secured a budget amounting to \533.9 billion for the year up \67.3 billion or 14.4% from the preceding year.
(1) Expansion of the payroll
(2) Enhancement of the diplomacy implementation system including the improvement of working conditions for staff members stationed overseas
(3) Promotion of international cooperation (strengthening cooperation for peace, enhancing ODA, stepping up international cultural exchange and others)
Apart from these three areas, priority has also been given to strengthening and enhancement of information gathering and analysis capabilities, and improvement and enhancement of assistance measures for Japanese nationals overseas (security measures for Japanese nationals overseas and education of Japanese children overseas).
Note: The figure was calculated by subtracting 44 from 108 in accordance with the payroll reduction plan and by adding 31 transferred from other ministries and bureaus including attaches.