Chapter 4
Japan's Diplomacy Open to the Public
Section 3 Diplomacy with the Support of the Public
1 Proactive Communications to the Public
(1) Overview
Public understanding and support are indispensable for the smooth implementation of Japan's foreign policy. As such, providing prompt and clear explanations on the policy details and on the role of the government is crucial. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is making efforts in timely and effective public relations, using various forms of media, lectures, publications, and others.
(2) Providing Information Through Domestic Media
MOFA has committed itself to promptly and accurately providing information through various media, such as newspapers, television, and the Internet, in order to gain the understanding and support of Japanese nationals for Japan's foreign policy. To provide information effectively, regular press conferences are conducted by the Foreign Minister and the Press Secretary, while extraordinary press conferences are held as necessary. Press conferences by the Foreign Minister with simultaneous English interpretations are open to various media including Internet media, and the records and videos of the press conferences are posted on MOFA's website. During foreign visits by the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister, MOFA provides information from visiting countries/regions via multiple means, including the Internet, so that people can promptly follow and understand the purposes and the outcomes of the visits. MOFA also regularly releases statements by the Minister for Foreign Affairs or Press Secretary on individual international issues, expressing the position of the Government of Japan. Similarly, MOFA frequently provides press releases on its daily diplomatic activities. Additionally, the Minister and State Ministers for Foreign Affairs explain the Government's foreign policies directly to the public through appearances on various media and interviews.
Press Conference by Foreign Minister Kamikawa (September 14, Tokyo)
(3) Information Provision to the Public Through the Internet
MOFA's website (in Japanese and English) promptly provides information on the diplomatic activities of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister as well as on Japan's foreign policy including territory/sovereignty, recognition of history, and security, along with the latest international relations and other basic relevant information.
MOFA's website in the Japanese language provides a variety of contents for Japanese nationals across a wide range of age groups, including the “Anything Report from Around the World,” “MOFA for Kids,” and so on. In particular, “MOFA for Kids” publishes contents for children such as videos and quizzes to explain MOFA's activities in an easy-to-understand way, and Q&A corners explaining vocabulary and international issues that are covered frequently in the news and newspapers. In May, the content for children regarding the G7 Hiroshima Summit was created and published in “MOFA for Kids.”
In addition to the above, MOFA provides a variety of information through various social media platforms. In 2023, MOFA actively provided information about topics such as the G7 Hiroshima Summit and related meetings, the situation in Ukraine, the situation in the Gaza Strip, and ALPS treated water.
MOFA's official website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/index.html
MOFA for Kids
MOFA's official X account: https://x.com/MofaJapan_en
MOFA's official website
MOFA's official X account
MOFA's official Facebook account
MOFA's official Instagram account
(4) Dialogue with Japanese Nationals
With the notion of “Public Relations through Dialogue with the People,” MOFA promotes direct dialogue between the people and the Foreign Minister, the State Ministers for Foreign Affairs, the Parliamentary Vice-Ministers for Foreign Affairs and MOFA officials.
Foreign Minister Hayashi, along with State Minister for Foreign Affairs TAKEI Shunsuke, held roundtable dialogues in February with people active in Okayama, in Akita in June, and in Nagano in August. These lively exchanges of opinions about Japan's diplomatic policies and the appeal of each region were undertaken as a part of the “Local to Global” Project that aims to promote the attractiveness of regional areas of Japan worldwide.
A MOFA seminar, “Dialogue with Students,” was held for university students in February. At the event, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs YOSHIKAWA Yuumi gave an opening address, and Foreign Ministry's officials were engaged in discussions with a large number of participating students during the lectures on topics such as the G7 Hiroshima Summit. In addition, MOFA held another seminar at Osaka University in November, at which Foreign Ministry's officials were engaged in lively discussions with many participating students (particularly from the Kansai region) during the lectures on topics such as Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In May, MOFA held an open class about the G7 Hiroshima Summit at Sophia University, at which around 500 university students and others participated. The participants provided a wide range of questions, sparking lively discussions with the speakers. At the “Children's Kasumigaseki Tour Day” held in August, MOFA ran a variety of programs including talks and workshops to deepen understanding about MOFA's work and countries around the world.
“Open class: Turbulent Times and the G7 Hiroshima Summit” (May 13, Sophia University)
Kids listening intently during “Children's Kasumigaseki Tour Day” (August 2, MOFA)
“Dialogue with Students” breakout discussion group (November 6, Osaka University)
Various programs in which MOFA sends its officials to venues such as local government offices, international exchange organizations, universities and high schools throughout Japan were conducted both online and in person at the request of the participating organizations. These included “Lectures on the International Situations,” “Diplomatic Talks,” “Talks for High School,” and “Visits by elementary, junior and senior high school students to MOFA.” In addition, MOFA hosted the 2023 “International Issues Presentation Contest” on the theme of future relations between Japan and ASEAN. Open not only to Japanese university students, but also to students from ASEAN nations, it was held in person as well as broadcast online. Through these programs, MOFA promotes better understanding of foreign policy and international affairs among young people, who will bear the future of Japan on their shoulders.
“International Issues Presentation Contest” (November 11, MOFA)
MOFA officials also give “ODA Delivery Lectures” on Japan's ODA policies and specific measures to numerous schools via online. Additionally, MOFA publishes the periodical journal “Diplomacy,” widely sharing information on international affairs relevant to Japan and discussions on diplomacy taking place in various areas at various levels. In 2023, the journal took up a range of diplomatic challenges as themes that offered an overview of the current international situation. In addition to discussion related to the G7 Hiroshima Summit, it examined Russia's aggression against Ukraine as well as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants and their impact on the region and the world from multifaceted viewpoints. The journal featured a large number of essays and other articles from renowned experts both inside and outside Japan.
Periodical journal “Diplomacy”
Moreover, MOFA also produced various pamphlets and videos aimed at a broad readership in order to promote a deeper understanding on the organizations of MOFA and Japan's diplomacy, such as the G7 Hiroshima Summit. In addition to the above, MOFA hears comments and opinions from the public through its website. Comments and opinions from the public are accordingly shared within MOFA and used as a reference in policy making and planning.
(5) Promotion of the Declassification of Diplomatic Records and Access to Information
To further enhance the public understanding of and confidence in Japan's foreign policy, MOFA is actively engaging in the declassification of diplomatic records and in efforts to facilitate greater convenience in the public use of diplomatic documents.
MOFA preserves more than 120,000 historical materials, including 40,000 prewar historical documents in its Diplomatic Archives, and has declassified its postwar diplomatic records since 1976 as a voluntary initiative. The Rules on the Declassification of Diplomatic Records, which were established in 2010, stipulate: (a) the declassification of diplomatic documents created or obtained more than 30 years ago in principle, and (b) the establishment of the “Committee for the Promotion of the Declassification of the Diplomatic Records,” which is chaired by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs or the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as attended by external experts, to further promote the declassification of diplomatic records and improve its transparency. The number of files that have been transferred to the Diplomatic Archives and made public since then reached approximately 38,000 by the end of 2023.
Furthermore, MOFA discloses information pursuant to the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs, while giving consideration to national security, the relationship of mutual trust with other countries, the impact on diplomatic negotiations, and the protection of personal information. In 2023, MOFA received 826 requests for disclosure, and documents totaling 121,057 pages were disclosed.