In 2011 approximately 16.99 million Japanese nationals traveled abroad, while there were approximately 1.18 million Japanese citizens residing overseas as at October 2011. Meanwhile, the types and places of risk and danger that Japanese nationals may encounter have increased and diversified. Protecting and enhancing the lives, safety and interests of Japanese nationals abroad is one of the important missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry has been undertaking various initiatives to this end.
　The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides citizens with information on incidents, including terrorism and kidnappings, accidents, wars, conflicts, natural disasters, infectious disease, etc., as necessary, while also urging them to take necessary safety measures. The Ministry also seeks to strengthen its capacity and measures to provide as much assistance as possible to Japanese nationals who stray into danger.
　Moreover, Japanese embassies and consulates-general provide fundamental administrative services such as issuing passports and various types of certificates, and handling of overseas voting for Japanese residents abroad. Additionally, these Japanese embassies and consulates-general support the daily lives of Japanese nationals residing overseas by, for example, providing assistance to their local Japanese schools and supplementary education schools.
　The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assists Japanese immigrants and people of Japanese ethnicity, who have acted as “bridges” between Japan and their respective country, contributing to the development of closer relations among the countries.
　In order for Japan to maintain a vibrant economy in the current environment, where domestic demand is on the wane as the domestic population decreases, utilizing overseas growth to drive Japanese economic growth is becoming more important than ever. As such, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been proactively undertaking numerous initiatives designed to support Japanese companies. These initiatives include promoting overseas business expansion of SMEs and other Japanese enterprises, encouraging the export of infrastructure, and encouraging foreign countries and regions to lift or ease restrictions imposed on imports of Japanese products following the earthquake. More specifically, contact points for support to Japanese companies have been designated at embassies, consulates-general, and other diplomatic missions overseas to gather opinions widely from Japanese companies on issues they are facing overseas and respond to their inquiries and requests. Furthermore, the Ministry facilitates dialogues and discussions with other countries on regulatory reforms and the improvement of the business environment, calling on them to initiate improvements. In addition, the Ministry has been working to improve the legal frameworks--such as investment agreements, tax treaties, social security agreements, etc.--that provide a platform for Japanese companies and Japanese nationals operating overseas.
　The Ministry also makes the most of its diplomatic missions abroad to support Japanese enterprises by, for example, co-hosting receptions to market Japanese products with them.