Chapter 4
Japan's Diplomacy Open to the Public
3 The Roles of Think Tanks and Experts in Diplomacy
The roles of think tanks and experts in diplomacy include promoting public understanding of diplomatic and security issues in a way that is not constrained by official government views, making intellectual contributions that produce ideas for diplomatic and security policies, building global intellectual networks, and communicating Japan's perspectives to other countries. Seminars and news commentaries for the general public by think tanks and experts are essential for deepening public understanding of diplomatic and security issues as well as the government's standpoint, and gaining public understanding can further enhance the effectiveness of the government's diplomatic activities. Moreover, gathering information, conducting analyses, and making policy recommendations by leveraging expertise and viewpoints that are different from the ones of the government also enrich discussions on diplomatic policies within the government. Global intellectual exchanges are also important in the sense that they promote understanding of Japan among various countries and regions, and contribute to shaping public opinions in the international community. With the growing complexity and uncertainty in the international community, the roles of think tanks and experts in diplomacy are becoming increasingly important.
Against this backdrop, MOFA provides subsidies to support Japanese think tanks' research activities in the field of foreign and security policy, in order to strengthen their capabilities to collect, analyze and disseminate information, to make policy proposals, and to further promote Japan's comprehensive diplomacy. In FY2024, the scheme provided support to 13 projects under seven organizations, and it is effectively promoting policy proposals to policymakers that are in line with the ever-changing diplomatic and security environment, exchanges of opinions with overseas think tanks and experts, the publication of papers and commentaries activities and communications via the media by experts, and hosting symposiums which lead international debate. Furthermore, MOFA launched a new subsidy scheme in FY2017 that aims at supporting research and information dissemination activities of Japanese think tanks in the areas of territory, sovereignty and history. Under the scheme, the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)(3) conducts such activities as the collection, organization, and public release of materials found in Japan and overseas, as well as the convention of open symposiums in cooperation with overseas think tanks and the dissemination of research results both domestically and internationally. Through this scheme, in FY2024 senior high school engagement programs were held in Hokkaido and Shimane Prefecture regarding the territorial issues, and speeches and discussions for the younger generation were conducted. In addition, young researchers from Asia visited Japan to deepen understanding of issues regarding Japan's territory, sovereignty and history, engaging with Japanese researchers and building research networks. It is expected that the scheme will support Japanese think tanks in accumulating historical records and knowledge pertaining to Japan's territory, sovereignty and history, and enhancing their information dissemination domestically and abroad.
(3) Refer to the website of The Japan Institute of International Affairs:
https://www.jiia.or.jp/en/
Executive Chefs for Ambassadors/Consuls-General of Japan are licensed cooks or persons with considerable experience working as chefs, who have been recognized by the Minister for Foreign Aff airs to engage in official catering work at official residences and other venues for the head of a diplomatic mission overseas (Ambassador/Consul-General). Diplomatic missions overseas are the center for diplomatic activities such as negotiations with governments, information gathering, and the development of personal networks. One of the most eff ective means of diplomacy is to create opportunities for meals at the official residence of the Ambassador/Consul-General, with guests such as infl uential politicians, businessmen and government officials from the country of assignment, as well as the diplomatic corps from various countries. For this reason, the head of the diplomatic mission is usually accompanied by the Executive Chef for the Ambassador/Consul-General, an exclusively-appointed chef whose aim is to provide high-quality meals.
■SUGIYAMA Yuji, Executive Chef for the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto
My name is SUGIYAMA Yuji, and I have been the Executive Chef at the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto since June 2024. Since being assigned to Toronto, I have worked on intercultural exchange to spread Japanese food culture through the forum of dining at the official residence. My mission every day is to create “distinctively-Toronto Japanese fl avors” by incorporating Canadian-produced ingredients. Toronto is a very diverse city, so I take into account a wide range of preferences and dietary restrictions.
It is often said that Japanese cuisine is “tasted with the eyes,” and I work to incorporate aspects of the changing seasons into my arrangements, such as maple leaves in the Toronto fall. After the meal at the Consul-General's official residence, when I greet the guests and directly hear their thoughts and comments about the food, it makes me realize how my cooking is conveying Japanese food culture. Th eir words are highly motivating for my work as an executive chef. Executive chefs have sole charge of every aspect of the cuisine, including menu creation, ingredient purchasing, preparation, and plating up, but in this fantastic environment ─ including support from all the Consulate General staff ─ I feel motivated to work even harder. In addition, in Toronto, where immigrants make up a large portion of the population, ingredients from many parts of the world are available, which enables experiences that broaden the range of cuisine I provide at the official residence, as well as my own knowledge.
Tuna kinutamaki* (incorporating Toronto maple leaves inside the glass bowl)
*The Kinutamaki style involves slicing ingredients thinly into a long sheet and wrapping other ingredients with it.
Assorted summer appetizer (consciously arranged to make them pleasant to the eye)
I have been interested in cooking since I was a little child, and fi rst picked up a knife at around age 8. As I grew up in a port city, I was also fi lleting fi sh and preparing sea squirts from elementary school age. Cooking really is my life, and a way that I express myself.
Family trip to Niagara Falls
I was transferred to Toronto with my daughter and family. In addition to the diffi culties of juggling work and raising a child, the diff erences in the medical system and high cost of living etc. mean that it has not all been easy. On the other hand, I also make the most of my personal life here. Even daily cooking is a source of new ideas, we can have our daughter experience the English language daily, and we have fun family trips on days off , such as to Niagara Falls. I am very grateful for this environment that enables me to have so many valuable experiences as a chef.
My determination to engage seriously with my work as a chef and steadily grow to new heights is deeply infl uenced by my experiences in the Great East Japan Earthquake. I am from Ishinomaki City. My parents' home was washed away by the tsunami, and I lost many friends in the disaster. Afterwards, I thought at length about what I, a survivor, could do. I felt that my mission would be to bring people hope and joy through my cooking. Memories of the disaster give me a special sense of purpose as a chef and a belief in the power of cooking.
Cuisine goes beyond words to touch people's hearts and bring them warmth. As an executive chef in Toronto, I treasure the opportunity to interact with our guests face-to-face by providing them with unique Japanese cuisine, in which each and every dish is imbued with the beauty and spirit of Japan. I will continue to hone my skills, always engaging seriously with cuisine without compromise, and little by little growing to new heights. By doing so, I hope that my cooking will ─ even just a little ─ make someone's heart richer.
The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs accepts applications at any time from candidates who wish to serve in diplomacy as Executive Chefs for Ambassadors/Consuls-General of Japan.
You can also read more about the activities of Executive Chefs for Ambassadors/Consuls-General of Japan through the “MOFA Japan Chef” social media accounts (Facebook and X (Japanese only)).
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MofaJapanChef
X:
https://twitter.com/mofa_japan_chef
Were you aware of the roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) known as “technical officials?” As the “face of Japan,” overseas establishments such as Japanese embassies abroad provide the bases and settings for Japan's diplomatic activities, and they serve as the last strongholds for protecting Japanese nationals during emergencies. Technical officials manage, design, construct, operate and maintain these facilities. It can be said that they support diplomatic activities behind the scenes, while partly shouldering the huge responsibility of protecting the lives of Japanese nationals. Here, we feature NIGORIKAWA Yuki, a technical official of the building and property management section, who was responsible for refurbishment work at the Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam. He describes the work that technical officials do.
■Refurbishment work to meet the changing times
The Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam was completed in 1999. The number of applicants for visas to Japan has increased significantly over time, driven by Viet Nam's economic growth, progress in bilateral relations, and the introduction of the Technical Intern Training Program. By contrast, the number of application counters could not be easily scaled up to cope with such changes, leading to queues of applicants out of the building and onto the street at that time. Growing numbers of visa applicants also means a higher workload for the consular section, and their office space was accordingly becoming cramped.
To overcome these issues, MOFA undertook large-scale interior refurbishment aimed at expanding the visitor area, including consular section application counters, and office space. As the work involved only part of the interior, Embassy staff located in other areas continued with their work. However, in addition to noise, vibrations in particular reverberated through the building ─ even when doors were kept closed ─ necessitating care being taken on the work content and time to avoid disrupting Embassy activities.
The refurbishment scope was smaller than a rebuild or new build, but I truly realized one of the hurdles for this work was the need to pay attention to daily diplomatic activities, visitors, and Embassy staff working in the building. From a facilities management perspective, such large-scale refurbishment is on another level compared to ongoing maintenance such as routine small-scale repairs. It could be called a “bold” aspect of facilities management, looking at the entire Embassy to refresh the interior and equipment once every few dozen years.
Consular visitor space (before refurbishment)
Consular visitor space (after refurbishment)
■Routine inspection and upkeep maintaining the standards people expect
Large-scale refurbishments to suit changes in the era and requirements are important, but routine upkeep of facilities is also critical. Viet Nam experiences high humidity throughout the year, with a typical level of 100% in summer and many days exceeding 80% humidity even in winter. Staff therefore always use the air conditioning while at work, and faults with it will quickly affect Embassy activities. It is necessary to pay careful attention to maintenance to prevent such malfunctions, and be ready to carry out rapid repairs in the event of problems.
This is just one example, but the essence of ongoing maintenance work is maintaining the standards people expect. In any facilities ─ not just an Embassy ─ people cannot function satisfactorily if services such as power and water are not available. However, if someone does not maintain them, appropriate supply will not be sustained, and Embassy work will no longer be possible. This is “subtle” work carried out little by little every day, but it is essential to avoid any impediment to Embassy activities. Embassy staff are grateful to us, and I believe it is very rewarding work.
MOFA recruits technical officials from candidates who have passed the National Civil Service Examination for General Service (University Graduate Level), Technical Categories (Examination Categories: Architecture, Digital/Electrical/Electronics, Machinery).