3.Role of Intellectuals, etc. in Diplomacy

In building a future international order in the changing world, it is becoming more apparent that experts from the private sector are able to take initiative in freely conducting policy discussions on a global scale without being bound by the official views of governments, which in return has an impact on the world’s opinion, as well as on the policy decisions of each government.

Some of the examples include World Economic Forum (Davos), which has a large influence on international economic policies, and the Shangri-La Dialogue, which provides prominent experts and ministers of the world with an opportunity to discuss Asian security issues.

This tendency still exists and there is an increasing importance for human resource development for think tanks (study and research institutions) and the use of experts from universities, etc. so that Japan is able to take part in the discussion arenas of major countries.

MOFA launched a subsidy scheme for study/research on foreign policy and security in FY2013 which aims to improve the abilities of think tanks to collect/analyze/send information and to recommend policies. The outcomes of the study and research have been used for planning and developing foreign policies.