Since assuming the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs in September 2023, I have carried out G7 Presidency activities and been confronting the severe international situation, including in Ukraine and the Middle East. Every day I am reminded that the world now stands at a turning point in history. Meanwhile, I am aware that the international community places firm trust and expectations in the Japanese diplomacy woven by our predecessors.

The international order that our predecessors built through hard work is facing serious challenges due to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force also continue in the periphery of Japan. Furthermore, while the growing presence of developing and emerging countries, known as the Global South, has made the international community more diverse, there are still many issues that need to be addressed beyond borders and values. In addition to global challenges including climate change and infectious diseases, economic security issues such as vulnerability of supply chains, economic coercion, and intellectual property theft, as well as cybersecurity and exploitation of emerging technologies such as the spread of disinformation, are posing challenges to global peace and stability.

Building on the outcomes achieved as the G7 Presidency, Japan will work to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law so that all people can enjoy peace, stability, and prosperity. We will pursue diplomacy to realize the safe and secure world where “human dignity” is protected, based on the principle of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): “Leave no one behind.” In particular, we will focus on supporting people who are prone to be in vulnerable positions in conflicts and disasters, including “Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).”

As Foreign Minister, I will conduct diplomacy based on the basic policies of firmly protecting Japan's national interests, enhancing Japan's presence in the world, and listening to the voices of the people and conducting diplomacy that is understood and supported by the people.

The Diplomatic Bluebook 2024 primarily presents an overview of the international situation and Japanese diplomatic initiatives in 2023. It begins with an Opening Special Feature looking back on the role Japan played as the G7 Presidency for the past year in leading the world toward cooperation and peace, not division and confrontation. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the recent international situation, the major issues that emerged in the past year, and the corresponding outlook for Japan's diplomacy. Following this summary of the Diplomatic Bluebook, Chapter 2 and the following Chapters describe Japan's diplomatic efforts over the past year under the titles of: “Resilient and Unwavering Regional Diplomacy”; “Diplomacy to Defend National Interests through Co-creation with the World”; and “Japan's Diplomacy Open to the Public.”

I hope this Diplomatic Bluebook will deepen the understanding of readers at home and abroad about how Japan carries out diplomacy by steadfastly protecting Japan's national interests in a rapidly changing international situation, while addressing issues facing the international community with both strength and resiliency.

In principle, Diplomatic Bluebook 2024 describes an overview of the international affairs and Japan's diplomatic activities from January 1 to December 31 of 2023; however, some important events that occurred until early 2024 are also included.

Chapters 1 to 4 offer overviews of Japan's diplomatic activities throughout 2023 in a concise and easy-to-understand manner, and also include special features delving into specific foreign policy themes and column articles, including contributions from people with global experiences.

This year's and past years' Diplomatic Bluebooks are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Summaries of Diplomatic Bluebook 2024 in French and Spanish are also due to be available on the website by autumn 2024.

For more details with respect to Chapter 3, Section 2, “Japan's International Cooperation,” please refer to MOFA's publication, White Paper on Development Cooperation - Japan's International Cooperation. It is also available on the MOFA website.

Please note that the titles of persons and names of countries appearing in this book are those as of the events. Website links and 2D codes in this book are those as of publication and may be changed or deleted later. The contents and views expressed in contributions from individuals and organizations do not reflect the position of MOFA. The maps in this book are simplified and may not necessarily be drawn to scale or reflect other details precisely.

Previous Diplomatic Bluebooks:

https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/index.html

White Paper on Development Cooperation - Japan's International Cooperation:

https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/page_000017.html