1.Strategic Communications

(1) Overview

The Government of Japan has long taken an active stance in explaining Japan’s stance on policy issues on the occasions of daily press conferences, interviews, contributions to the media, speeches at official visits to foreign countries and international conferences by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, other Ministers, and government officials. When media report includes factual errors on Japan’s fundamental stance or views on a range of issues including the recognition of history or maintenance of territorial integrity, the diplomatic missions overseas, centered on ambassadors or consulate generals, explain to the media by, for example, sending rebuttal pieces based on facts. Japan also actively engages in communications with public via social media and websites as well as creates publicity materials including policy related videos and so forth.

In order to make Japan’s fundamental stance on policy issues understood, it is also important for enhancing coordination efforts with the ministry, experts and think tanks. Based on this recognition, MOFA invites influential experts and media personnel from around the world, providing them with opportunities to exchange opinions with government officials and others and to visit various places of Japan. Furthermore, Japan sends Japanese experts abroad while providing and bolstering support for holding Japan related seminars.

Moreover, in order to attract the broader andience including those who have not had much interest in Japan, the following actions are important: (1) providing information on the diverse attractiveness of Japan through all-Japan efforts of the government, private sectors and local governments; (2) promoting outreach that reflects needs of the local communities, utilizing expertise of experts from both inside and outside Japan; and (3) catering “one-stop-service” where all information related to Japan can be obtained. With this in mind, communication hubs are to be established in London (UK), Sao Paulo (Brazil), and Los Angeles (U.S.), to implement aforementioned actions.

(2) Reports by Foreign Media on Japan and Communications through Foreign Media

The year 2015 marked the 70^th anniversary since the end of World War II, and the foreign media paid much attention to Japan’s policies and issues including diplomacy, security policies, economy, society, and its contributions to the world. Also, active visits by Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Kishida to foreign countries in line with Japan’s “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the world map” captured further media attention.

Amidst increasing interest in Japan, MOFA actively provides information and offers assistance for press coverage to the foreign media in order to gain understanding and support from the international community about Japan’s positions and its activities. MOFA makes efforts to achieve the strategic and effective communications by providing information to appropriate media outlets at an appropriate time in accordance with theme and content.

As for communications through the foreign media, MOFA conducts regular press conference including by Foreign Minister Kishida and provide information to correspondents in Japan via press releases and other materials. MOFA arranges interviews, press conference, and Op-Ed article contributions with the foreign media on the occasions of foreign visits by Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Kishida and their participation in international conferences such as G7/G20 Summit meetings and the UN General Assembly. In 2015, the Prime Minister took 26 interviews or contribution of articles, while the Foreign Minister took ten interviews or contribution of articles. The Prime Minister Abe also conducted four international press conferences.

For example, prior to a visit to the U.S. in April, Prime Minister Abe directly conveyed his messages to the U.S. and the world through interviews with The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal and his contribution of article to The Bloomberg View, an online media. In August on the occasion of the 70^th year from the atomic bombings, Foreign Minister Kishida contributed an article to CNN to explain Japan’s effort to realize a world free of nuclear weapons. When world leaders gathered in New York (U.S.) for the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Abe contributed an article to CNN to outline about Japan’s path as a peace country for 70 years since the end of World War II and its consistent contributions to the world.

In addition, MOFA invited 124 journalists from abroad, particularly those media that have no correspondent in Japan, to provide opportunities to help enhance their understanding of Japan’s priority policies and position. On the occasion of the 7^th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in May, MOFA invited nine journalists from the Pacific countries, who reported on achievements of Japan’s supports for the Pacific countries and on the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. MOFA also has been making efforts in the diverse attractiveness of Japan, particularly on local attractiveness. One example is a visit by journalists from ten ASEAN countries to Mie Prefecture, the venue for the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in 2016, as well as to Hiroshima Prefecture, the venue for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2016.

In some cases where reports on Japan by the foreign media include factual errors, MOFA explained to the media or sent letters to the editor to help them make reports based on accurate facts and understanding.