In order for Japan to implement foreign policy smoothly, the understanding and support of Japanese nationals are indispensable. Therefore it is crucial that the government provides current, up-to-date and easy to understand explanations of policy details and the role of the government. Furthermore, as the influence of public opinion on foreign policy increases, so has the impact that social networking services have on society in recent years due to the advancement of information technology. As such, it is necessary for the government to proactively and comprehensively communicate with the public. With this understanding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strives to enhance information communication by utilizing newspapers, magazines, TV, internet and other media outlets to facilitate agile and effective communication that integrates public relations, good communication with the press, and cultural and interpersonal interaction.
　In addition to press conferences by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Press Secretary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs releases statements by the Minister for Foreign Affairs or Press Secretary in which the stance of the Japanese government on particular issues is presented. Moreover, the Ministry frequently issues press releases that provide information on the activities of the Ministry. The Minister, the Parliamentary Senior Vice-Ministers and the Parliamentary Vice-Ministers for Foreign Affairs appear on TV and other media to make the viewers understood on Japan’s foreign policies.
　The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strives to effectively utilize the Internet to communicate information accurately, swiftly and in an easy to understand manner via its official website (http://www.mofa.go.jp/). Furthermore, the Ministry places an emphasis on multi-lingual communication, for instance the official website communicates information in English while websites of Japanese diplomatic missions overseas provide information in the respective local languages.
　Moreover, as part of the Ministry’s efforts to promote public relations through dialogue with Japanese nationals, the Minister for Foreign Affairs delivers speeches. The Ministry also organizes lectures by its officials at universities and high schools throughout Japan as well as debate sessions on foreign policies with the aim of human resource development for Japan’s next generation. The Ministry also strives to improve communication with the public through its public relations activities that include receiving comments and opinions on the website.
　In its efforts to promote further understanding and trust in diplomacy by Japanese nationals, in May 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formed the Committee for the Promotion of Declassification of the Diplomatic Historical Records, in which the Ministry listens to the opinions of experts and make decisions on declassification of historical diplomatic records, taking into account multiple aspects.
　Through this, the Ministry has been actively working on smooth and expeditious transfer of these historical records to the Diplomatic Archives and the declassification of these records. The Ministry has thus accelerated this process since autumn 2011 in particular.
　Moreover, the Ministry is disclosing information pursuant to the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, while giving due consideration to Japan’s security and relationship of mutual trust with other countries.
　In order to advance flexible diplomacy that meets the changes in both domestic and international affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mobilizes its limited resources for matters of highest priority while also strengthening its foreign policy implementation structures.
　The Ministry completed its organizational reforms in August in order to develop a structure that facilitates communication with the press, public relations, and international cultural exchange, for which the Ministry is responsible from comprehensive and broad perspectives. The number of Japanese diplomatic missions overseas remains fewer than other major countries and therefore the Ministry is committed to strategically improving this situation. The number of staff deployed at those missions is also insufficient compared to other major countries and therefore the Ministry has been attempting to increase its capacity by redeploying human resources to emerging countries, resource producing countries and countries in which our new diplomatic missions are established. In order to support the above mentioned foreign policy implementation structures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated 617.3 billion yen in the 2012 budget with priority given to (1) initiatives for “open reconstruction” and “new growth,” (2) the development of a multilayered network and further contribution to the international society, and (3) strengthening of foreign policy implementation structures overseas. From 2013 onward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will remain committed to efforts of further streamlining and will strive to ensure a level of foreign policy implementation structures comparable to other major countries.