Section 1 Japanese Society and People Deepening Their Ties with the World

Overview

(Tapping the Power of Foreign Nationals for the Growth of Japan)

Increasing the number of people traveling between Japan and other countries stimulates the economy and promotes mutual understanding among different cultures. Based on this view, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) takes steps to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into Japan and also their stay in the country.

The Government of Japan attaches importance to promoting Japan as a tourism-oriented country based on the recognition that “Tourism is a main pillar for Japan's growth strategy and regional revitalization.” To this end, MOFA has engaged in strategic relaxation of visa requirements. With efforts to attract tourists including showcasing the various attractiveness of Japan and other factors, the number of foreign visitors to Japan reached the highest record of 28.69 million in 2017. MOFA strives to contribute to the increase of foreign visitors while continuing to maintain “Japan, the safest country in the world,” and to a tourism-oriented country both in quantity and quality by attracting the wealthy class, repeat visitors, and the young generations.

In order to further vitalize the Japanese economy and increase Japan's competitiveness, it is critical to secure capable human resources irrespective of their nationality. The “Investments for the Future Strategy 2017” set forth utilization of foreign human resources. To realize it, MOFA works with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure the effective policy and measures for accepting foreign human resources taking into account human rights. Moreover, MOFA encourages national debate on the challenges arising from the acceptance of foreign nationals and their integration into Japanese society, as well as appropriate measures to be taken.

(International Organizations and Japanese Nationals)

At international organizations, staff from all over the world capitalizes on their respective skills and traits to carry out activities for addressing global issues.

Japan has been providing personnel contributions as well as financial and policy contributions to international organizations. By having larger numbers of talented Japanese nationals play active roles in international organizations, Japan's presence in the international community will be enhanced and the human resources of Japan will also be enriched.

MOFA strives to recruit, train, and support Japanese nationals who can play active roles in international organizations and contribute to them. MOFA will more actively strengthen its efforts to create an environment where a larger number of outstanding Japanese nationals can play active roles on the global stage.

(NGOs and Volunteers)

The Government of Japan has promoted All-Japan diplomacy which draws on the strengths of non-governmental actors. In this context, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become even more important in recent years as implementers of support activities in developing countries and as channels for offering policy proposals. Japanese NGOs play a significant role in fields that Japan excels in and can make international contributions to, such as health, water and sanitation, education, disaster risk reduction, environment and climate change, and emergency humanitarian assistance for refugees and disaster victims. MOFA regards NGOs as important partners in development cooperation, and strives to strengthen partnerships with NGOs through financial assistance, improving their operational environment, aid and NGO-MOFA Regular Consultation Meetings.

Participants in the volunteer programs of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), including the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and the Senior Volunteers (SV), are crucial actors in international cooperation. In the countries and regions where they are dispatched, JICA volunteers work on development challenges together with local people from the same perspective. Such programs are highly appreciated by local people including government officials in various countries and earn their gratitude, as symbols of the “Visibility of Japanese International Cooperation.” In addition, the programs play a substantial role not only in local economic and social development, but also in fostering mutual understanding, friendship, and goodwill between Japan and these countries and regions. Furthermore, these programs are also significant from the viewpoint that JICA volunteers utilize their experience and stay active at home and abroad upon their return.

(Cooperation with Local Governments)

Cooperation with local governments is one of the top priority issues of the Cabinet. MOFA is implementing All-Ministry efforts under initiatives to showcase the regions' attractiveness to the world and to attract as many tourists and investments as possible with the goal of collectively reinforcing diplomatic capabilities through collaboration with regions to assist regional revitalization. At home, MOFA, together with local governments, has continued to carry out projects to support regional revitalization using MOFA's Iikura Guest House, the “Local to Global” project where the Foreign Minister travels to regions together with foreign diplomatic corps, as well as “Regional Promotion Seminars” and “Diplomats' Study Tours,” to showcase the various attractiveness of local areas. Overseas, in order to support Japan's local governments in developing regional economies for promoting their local tourism industries, etc., MOFA has continued to carry out “Regional Promotion Projects” by using Japan's diplomatic facilities overseas, and conduct the comprehensive PR program called the “Project to Support Overseas Presentations to Promote the Attractiveness of Regions” as part of efforts to dispel damage from international rumors stemming from the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition, MOFA actively promotes to government leaders in each country alcoholic beverages (Japanese sake, wine, etc.) produced in various regions in Japan through its diplomatic missions overseas and supports overseas operations of local governments and local SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) by making use of ODA.