• Fumio Kishida Minister for Foreign Affairs

CHAPTER 1

• In his address during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Abe states Japan’s role as a “Proactive Contributor to Peace.” (September 26, 2013, New York; Source: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
• Japan–U.S. Security Consultative Committee meeting (2+2) (Tokyo, October 3, 2013)

CHAPTER 2

• Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visit the Tamil Nadu Association for the Welfare of the Physically Handicapped (December 5, 2013, Chennai, India; Source: Jiji press)
• Prime Minster Abe speaking during the ASEAN–Japan Commemorative Summit (December 14, 2013, Tokyo; Source: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
• Commemorative photo of leaders attending the ASEAN–Japan Commemorative Summit (December 14, 2013, Tokyo; Source: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
• Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team treating patients at a clinic in Tacloban
• Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess arriving at the investiture ceremony of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (April 30, 2013, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Source: AFP–Jiji)
• Prime Minister Abe (center) with world leaders (June 1, 2014, Yokohama; Source: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

CHAPTER 3

• U.S. President Obama (left) and Prime Minister Abe took the opportunity at the G20 Saint Petersburg Summit to hold a Japan–U.S. summit meeting (September 5, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Source: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
• A Self-Defense Forces Engineer Company working together with local citizens to build a community road in the Na-Bari district of the capital, Juba, in coordination with Japan’s ODA project under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) (South Sudan; Source: Ministry of Defense)
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida at the G4 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (September 26, New York)
• Attendees from around the world at the flower offering ceremony (October 9, 2013, Minamata; Source: Ministry of the Environment)
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida signing the Minamata Convention (October 10, Kumamoto)
• Prime Minister Abe at the reception to promote Japanese cuisine on a visit to Russia (April 30, 2013; Source: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
• Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration
• Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese, notably for the celebration of New Year (Source: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan)
• JOC President Takeda conveys the splendor of Tokyo ©Tokyo 2020 / Shogo TAKEMI
• After the announcement of Tokyo as the successful host city bidder, IOC President Jacques Rogge (center) congratulates Japanese Prime Minister Abe (left) and JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda (right) ©Tokyo 2020 / Shogo TAKEMI

CHAPTER 4

• Mine safety education program implemented by the Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR) (Afghanistan; Source: AAR/JPF)
• A Senior Volunteer teaches kendo at a university in the Dominican Republic. Since 2011, kendo has been included in the physical education classes conducted as part of this university’s academic program, as a means of building character. (Source: Koji Sato / JICA)
• President of the European Council Van Rompuy receives the title of Honorary Citizen of Matsuyama by Mayor Noshi. Matsuyama Castle can be seen in the upper background.