JAPAN’S TWO BIG DECISIONS INFOREIGN AND
SECURITY POLICYAN EXCERPTJANUARY 13, 2023
Full Text: https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202301/_00005.html

Shortly after the start of Japan’s G7 Presidency in 2023, Prime Minister Kishida visited France, Italy,
the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. During these visits, on January 13, he delivered the firstspeech by a Japanese prime minister at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
in the United States in 40 years. He spoke about Japan’s decisions at a turning point in history as follows.
Three Key PointsNow, I have three key messages to deliver to you in myspeech today.
First, the international community is at a historicturning point. The free, open, and stable international
order that we have dedicated ourselves to upholding is
now in grave danger.
Second, Japan is resolved to proactively create peace
and prosperity and a free and open order worldwide.
Third, in the course of undertaking such efforts, Japanand the United States, as the most important ally andclosest of friends, need to engage in further strengthening
our bond.
My Two Major Decisions in 2022
In 2022, I made two major decisions in Japan’s foreignand security policy.
One is the shift in our policy toward Russia in response

to its aggression against Ukraine. Another is the shift inJapan’s postwar security policy by formulating the three
key documents at the end of last year: the National
Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense
Buildup Program. I believe that these decisions were rightfor our nation and beyond around the globe.
(1) Japan’s Decisions following Russia’s Aggression againstUkraine
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has marked thecomplete end of the post-Cold War world.
This is a moment that will transform history.
This is a critical moment, in fact, a moment of truth forJapan.
The future of the international community rests on
how we respond to this aggression.
If we let this unilateral change of the status quo by force
go unchallenged, it will happen elsewhere in the world,including Asia.
It is Japan that must rise to this challenge to take action
to defend our freedom and democracy.
With this in mind, Japan decided to make a major shift
in our existing policy toward Russia and then put in placestrict sanctions against Russia. We were also among thefirst in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Ournation is the sole representative of Asia in the G7. Japan’s
participation in the measures against Russia transformed
the fight against Russia’s aggression against Ukraine froma Trans-Atlantic one to a global one.
Prime Minister Kishida speaks at the Johns Hopkins University
School of Advanced International Studies. He reflected on lastyear’s decisions to change both Japan’s policy toward Russia andits postwar security policy as “very heavy decisions withconsequential impacts on the future of Japan and the world.”(2) Japan’s Decisions for a Major Shift in Our Security Policy
The year 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of theentry into force of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty in 1952.
Today, both Japan and the United States are facing asevere and complex security environment as never before
in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific since the end of WWII.
I am serving as the Prime Minister at this juncture ofhistory’s turning point and amidst a national crisis forJapan. I have a mission to firmly defend our nation andthe Japanese people. With this determination, and for thesake of reinforcing our diplomatic capabilities to ensureinternational peace and security, I made the decision
to transform our postwar security policy in order tofirst bolster our own foundation by implementing thefollowing:- making the level of our budget, for both the fundamental
reinforcement of defense capabilities and complementary
initiatives, reach 2% of the current GDP,- possessing counterstrike capabilities,- improving response capabilities in the field ofcybersecurity and- stepping up our defense posture in the Southwest regionof JapanIn particular, this decision will also bring benefits tothe security of the entire Indo-Pacific region, includingSoutheast Asia, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.
I am convinced that this decision represents one of themost historically critical milestones for strengthening
the alliance, following such precedents as the conclusionof the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty by Prime Minister
YOSHIDA Shigeru, the revision of the Treaty by Prime
Minister KISHI Nobusuke, and the Legislation for Peaceand Security by Prime Minister ABE Shinzo.
As you are all aware, Japan’s postwar status of a peace
loving nation has not changed in the slightest. Japan willcontinue to be a “model citizen” of the world.
I will further double down on our diplomatic efforts
this year, building on the achievements from the previousyear. I am also resolved to make the most realistic
judgements, bearing in mind what is called for in this era,
and am resolved to carry forward a “realism diplomacy fora new era.”
Furthermore, let me reaffirm the two points, bridging
what has changed and what has not changed; namely, therealistic view that diplomacy needs to be backed by defense
capabilities and that reinforcing defense capabilities will

also lead to persuasiveness in carrying out our diplomaticefforts, as well as the importance of the will of each andevery citizen to proactively defend the country as precisely
evidenced by the Ukrainian people at this moment in time.
As I just outlined, Japan is going through considerable
evolutions while always striving to harmonize the ideal andthe reality. Going forward, you should be able to consider
Japan as an even more reliable partner for all of you.
Addressing Future Challenges
Next, allow me to move to discuss the challenges ahead.
Let me now lay out three key points.
First, strengthening the unity of like-minded countries,
especially the G7.
Second, relations with those referred to as “the GlobalSouth.”Third, relations with China, which is the most central
challenge for both Japan and the United States.
(1) Strengthening the Unity of Like-minded countries,
especially the G7
The G7 is tied together on the basis of common values,
and this is the group having functioned most effectively inthe aftermath of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
We need to rally together first to maintain international
peace and to resolve global economic crises, and otherglobal challenges. In particular, it is absolutely imperativefor Japan, the United States, and Europe to stand united
in managing our respective relationship with China.
Japan’s concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” known
as FOIP, has gained support from many like-mindedcountries, including the members of the G7.
In May, I will be hosting the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
As the Presidency, I will demonstrate the G7’s
determination with a weight that reflects the historicalsignificance:- to resolutely reject Russia’s ongoing armed aggression,
threats by nuclear weapons, and attempts to overthrow
the international order,- to give unwavering support to Ukraine,- not to accept any unilateral changes to the status quo by
force in any region, and- to firmly preserve the rule of law and a free and open
international order.
In addition, as the only country to have suffered atomic
bombings, and as the Prime Minister from Hiroshima,

I will put forward our pledge to the world at the G7
Hiroshima Summit that the scourge of nuclear weapons
must never be allowed to happen again. I will also senda robust message that the G7 will advance realistic andpractical efforts without sacrificing deterrence in the midstof the severe security environment. To this end, I believethat the only realistic path is to revive the momentum fornuclear disarmament and maintain and strengthen theNPT regime. I attended the NPT Review Conference lastsummer and presented the “Hiroshima Action Plan” as
the first step toward a realistic roadmap which would takeus from “the reality” of the harsh security environment tothe “ideal” of a world without nuclear weapons.
For us to make progress on this issue, a relationshipof trust with our ally, the United States, is essential. To
this end, I will also be working closely in concert withPresident Biden.
(2) Relations with those Referred to as “the Global South”
Relations with those referred to as “the Global South”
offer us important challenges and opportunities.
We need to be more committed to our values, and at thesame time, when engaging with the Global South, we needto remain humble while putting aside preconceptions
and then have a firm understanding of their respective
historical and cultural backgrounds. On that basis, there
is a greater imperative for us to share the principle that theinternational community should be driven by rules, notby force.
Ever since taking office as the Prime Minister, I
have consistently undertaken efforts to advance Japan’srelations with the Global South.
Among them, Southeast Asian countries are theclosest and most crucial partners for Japan. A “Free andOpen Indo-Pacific,” FOIP, and the ASEAN Outlook on
the Indo-Pacific, AOIP, resonate with each other. I will
be soon upgrading the vision of a FOIP. I will also hostthe ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo
around December this year. I hope to demonstrate thatJapan’s ties with Southeast Asian countries constitute acore element of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacificregion.
Let me also note the importance of the relationshipwith India. India is this year’s G20 Presidency and apartner with shared fundamental values and strategicinterests. We will further enhance the “Japan-IndiaSpecial Strategic Global Partnership,” forged between ourtwo countries, and continue to work together in pursuitof a FOIP.
Furthermore, Japan will move forward with ourdiplomatic engagements with the regions of South Asia,
Pacific Island countries, Africa, the Middle East, Latin
America and the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
In this regard, I would like to highlight the significanceof strengthening the functions of the United Nations,including Security Council reform. Today, trust in theUN is at risk due to Russia’s aggression. Japan is taking
up a two-year term on the Security Council as a nonpermanent member starting this month. We will engagein taking on efforts to materialize the movement for
Security Council reform, as well as to further strengthen
the General Assembly, where all nations are represented.
(3) Relations with China
Next is China.
In the National Security Strategy, I described thechallenge posed by China as one that “Japan should
respond with its comprehensive national power and incooperation with its allies, like-minded countries andothers.” China needs to make a strategic decision that it
will abide by the established international rules and that it
cannot and will not change the international order in waysthat are contrary to these rules. Efforts to achieve will need
to be long-lasting. Along the way, we will never allow any
attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force,
and we will reinforce our deterrence. With that ensured,
we then hope to contribute to ensuring international
peace and stability, including in the Indo-Pacific region,
together with China, and cooperate on shared challenges.
Thus, we need to manage our relationship peacefully.
This is the key to determining a success or failure ofstatesmanship in this era.
Last November, I held a meeting with President Xi
Jinping. There, I expressed my concern about the situationin the East China Sea including the Senkaku Islands andChina’s military activities such as its launch of ballistic
missiles into the waters near Japan including our Exclusive
Economic Zone last August. It is of greater significancethat we say what needs to be said to China at the highest
possible level, including at the Leaders’ level. I believe thatboth sides need to make efforts to build a constructive andstable relationship.

Future Goals of Japan-U.S. Relations
With respect to all that I just mentioned, the JapanU.S. Alliance is the anchor. I am encouraged by the U.S.
National Security Strategy, a powerful demonstration ofAmerica’s leadership and commitment to the world.
At the summit meeting earlier today, President Bidenand I confirmed that our national security strategies arealigned with each other. We also reiterated our strong
commitment to promoting a “Free and Open IndoPacific,” and then concurred to further strengthen a freeand open international order based on the rule of law.
Looking ahead to the coming months in 2023, we willbe entering a phase of taking action and materializing,through following up in such fora as the Security
Consultative Committee “2+2” and the Economic Policy
Consultative Committee, “Economic ‘2+2’” launchedlast year together with the President.
Japan will further broaden and bolster areas ofcooperation with the United States.
Economic security is a case in point. Vulnerabilities
in our supply chain are coming to the fore, and newchallenges such as pursuit of national interests throughcoercive measures are on the rise. Partnering in such areas
as semiconductors and energy is also “key.”
Additionally, science and technology will be thegreatest key factor to overcoming the hardships at hand
and to setting out the course of the world in the times
ahead. In collaboration with the United States and otherlike-minded countries, Japan will work to establish amajor fund amounting to 50 billion yen with a viewto enhancing international joint research and humanresource development for young researchers, and work tolaunch the “Global Startup Campus Initiative” that willserve as a core center for international brain circulation.
Japan hopes to carve out the frontier of the next
generation, create new markets, and then generate values
that will usher in the new era.
We place emphasis on Japan-U.S. space cooperation aswell. Japan will further press ahead with space cooperation,
which has entered a new era thanks to the Artemis Project.
That said, let me stress that it is the “people” who actually
make these Japan-U.S. cooperative projects possible.
The partnership between Japan and the United States isindispensable in ensuring international peace and stability.
At the same time, I will further make strides in ourcooperation with India and Australia, including throughLeft: The countdown-board lighting ceremony for the G7 Hiroshima
Summit was held in January. Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would
facilitate candid discussions among the G7 Leaders as Chair to articulate
ideas and plans for the future.
Right: In 1951, former Prime Minister YOSHIDA Shigeru signed the JapanU.S. Security Treaty. In 2022, over 70 years later, Prime Minister Kishida
decided to make a major shift in postwar security policy by revising theNational Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup
Program. THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS / AFLO

the Quad. Furthermore, as the first-ever Japanese Prime
Minister to have participated in the NATO Summit lastyear, I will further advance our relations with Europe.
North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities pose a clear
and serious threat to international peace and stability.
The security partnership among Japan, the United States,
and the Republic of Korea is becoming increasinglyimportant. I intend to enhance security cooperation
among our three countries. The abductions issue must be
also resolved immediately. I intend to resolve the bilateralissues of concern as quickly as possible, to restore soundJapan-ROK relations and then to further promote them.
Now, I have one particular action that I hope theUnited States will take.
Japan welcomes the “Indo-Pacific EconomicFramework,” IPEF.
Nonetheless, I must say that the core of what creates an
economic order in the region is a framework with market
access for goods and services. In the Asia-Pacific region,
we indeed have such a framework, the Trans-PacificPartnership. The TPP was originally initiated by theUnited States, and then was eventually launched without
U.S. participation. Now, the United Kingdom, China,
Taiwan, and others have expressed their intention to join
this agreement. Against the backdrop, let me state that theUnited States’ return is of paramount importance.
Conclusion
As the international community is at a historic turning
point, I will continue to make decisions in a decisive
manner to resolve the challenges facing our nation andbeyond. Japan will boldly move forward, and together
with the United States, we will overcome history’s turning
point and bring about a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”Thank you very much for your attention.

The above text was republished from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/101_kishida/statement/202301/_00005.html