DIPLOMACY
Vol.76, Nov./ Dec. 2022

Contents of Features
FOCUS◎The Dilemma of the U.S. Midterm Election

82

What did Voters Choose in the Midterm Election?

90

Is it possible to stop the Republican Party from becoming an “authoritarian party”?

96

The Midterm Election: Will domestic policy and foreign policy change?

Kentaro Nakajima (Yomiuri Shimbun)
Midterm election was held in the U.S., where inflation and other economic conditions are worsening. Candidates appealed forsupport by taking up familiar and pragmatic issues.
Hiroshi Okayama (Keio University)
Democracy in the US is facing challenges. Behind this is the transformation of the two major parties, Republican Party andDemocratic Party.
Robert Tomkin（Congressional Quarterly）
Although the President appears to have the exclusive power in foreign policy, in reality Congress also has significant powerand role. This article traces the history of the relations between the President and Parliament and considers the future
prospects.

TREND2022

103

Interview with the Ambassador to Brazil“Two Solidarities” for the Next Lula Administration

Teiji Hayashi (Ambassador to Brazil), Interviewer: Keiko Iizuka (Yomiuri Shimbun)
Brazil is a democratic power but distinct from the West. On the other hand, it is a member of the Global South but distinct fromChina and Russia. Ambassador Hayashi talks about Brazil’s multifaceted nature and the significance of its diplomacy.

110

The Inauguration of the Sunak Government in the UK: Aiming for stability through de-populism

116

Taking Meagers to Stop Plastic Pollution
Japan's Efforts Towards a Convention

Ryuichi Kanari (Asahi Shimbun)
Mr. Sunak became the Prime Minister after the former Prime Minister Truss failed due to her economic policies. Prime
Minister Sunak is trying to regain domestic and international trust by emphasizing fiscal discipline.

Takeshi Akahori (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Regarding marine plastic debris, which has a serious impact on the environment, Japan is moving to achieve a convention forthe prevention of pollution. What are Japan's efforts and future prospects?

122

President Putin Is in a Tight Corner

130

Italy: The Direction of the Meloni Administration Looks Solid

Shinji Hyodo (National Institute for Defense Studies)
In response to the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russia is mobilizing to increase its troop strength and tighten up domestically.
However, it has few strategic options. National mobilization or use of nuclear weapons?
Takeshi ITO (The University of Tokyo)
The inauguration of a right-wing government in Italy was feared to worsen Italy-EU relations, but in fact the new government
has a lineup of moderate ministers. This article looks ahead to the future of the administration.

Special Feature:

Conditions for Xi Jinping's
Long-Time Rule of the Government
6

The Emphasized Sense of Crisis and Need of "Solidarity"

16

Only Xi Jinping Faction: The Members of the Politburo Standing Committee

21Shin Kawashima (The University of Tokyo)
What are the logic and methods of the Xi administration, which seeks further solidarity while eliminating heterogeneity toward
the goals of 2049 and 2035, and the difficulties that accompany them?
Li Hao (Kobe University)
New members of the Politburo Standing Committee have been elected, and all of them are loyal to Xi Jinping.
Round table:

The Vulnerability of the "Concentration of Power" without Authority

Kumiko Okazaki (Canon Institute for Global Studies), Takashi Suzuki (Aichi Prefectural University) , Satoshi Takahashi(Nikkei),Yuji Miyamoto (Former Ambassador to China)

34

The "Evolution" of the People's Liberation Army and the Security in the Indo-Pacific

40“Personalizing Power” and the People's Liberation Army

46

The Xi Jinping Regime from the Perspective of Local and Substratum Governance

52

Prevent Weaponization of Advanced Technology with “Power and Rules”

58

Human Rights, Business and Diplomacy regarding Uyghur

64

U.S. Military Presence as a Foundation for Foreign Policy towards China

71

G20 Bali Summit: Indonesia Demonstrating its Leadership

Masashi Iida (National Institute for Defense Studies)
The People's Liberation Army is accelerating the enhancement of its equipment and the modernization of its commandstructure. Issues such as the Taiwan problem and enhancement of nuclear capability are becoming more complex.
Lim Jaehwan (Aoyama Gakuin University)
Xi Jinping is trying to build an army that is loyal to him while responding to various threats. In this process, what are thedangers of the "personalization" of party-military relations?
Kazuko Kojima (Keio University)
China has had a multilayered structure of power, but Xi Jinping is attempting to centralize power based on socialist ideology.
Mariko Watanabe (Gakushuin University)
China is not a hegemonic power but an emergent economic power. How can we prevent the US-China strategic competition
from escalation?
Tomoko Ako (The University of Tokyo)
In response to China's human rights problems, the UN Commission on Human Rights issued the ‘‘Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights’’. What is needed for it to work?
Bilahari Kausikan（former Singaporean Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs）
Under the U.S.-China confrontation, ASEAN countries will act opportunistically, focusing on their national interests. However,the presence of U.S. forces is indispensable for regional stability.
Masafumi Ishii (Gakushuin University)