AJISS-Commentary
The Association of Japanese Institutes of Strategic Studies
NPINakasone Yasuhiro
Peace InstituteRIPSThe Japan Institute ofInternational Affairs(Secretariat)

Research Institute for
Peace and Security

300th Special Issue
18 November 2022

JAPAN’S FOREIGN POLICY AT A TURNING
POINT IN HISTORY
Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan
I would like to congratulate the publication of the300th issue of the AJISS Commentary. The
AJISS Commentary has, since its inception in2007,
contributedinsharing
Japan's
perspective on foreign affairs and security
issues in the post-Cold War era. Today, Russia's
aggression against Ukraine marked the end ofthat post-Cold War age. At this critical time, I
believe that Japan has an important role to play,
as a country which has consistently followed thepath of a peace-loving nation and contributed topeace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region as
well as the international community through thepost-World War II. Therefore, I would like tooutline the fundamental thinking and efforts ofJapanese foreign policy at this major turning
point in history.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and should not be
attributed to The Association of Japanese Institutes of Strategic Studies.

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A major turning point in history
Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine is a clear violation of internationallaw, and is an unacceptable, reckless act that threatens the very foundation of theinternational order which we have built at the expense of much sacrifice and efforts.
Russia’s recent rhetoric of possible use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine is an issue ofdeep concern. Russia’s act of threatening the use of nuclear weapons is a serious
threat to the peace and security of the international community, and absolutelyunacceptable. It goes without saying that its use must never occur. Russia’s false
allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use some “dirty bomb” is also unacceptable.
Challenges to the international order continue in East Asia as well. In the Eastand South China Seas, unilateral attempts to change the status quo are continuing andstrengthening. North Korea's nuclear and missile activities which are in violations of UN
Security Council resolutions, are increasingly serious.
Will the world revert back to the “law of the jungle”, meaning “rule by force”? Or
will it continue its march of peace and prosperity, by upholding an international order
based on the “rule of law”? At this turning point in history, what kind of the foreign policy
Japan should pursue? My answer is that Japan should pursue diplomacy thatemphasizes universal values respected and upheld by all, while firmly holding up thebanner of political idealism, and when necessary, boldly and decisively responding tovarious challenges with strict realism --- and I call this “realism diplomacy for a new era.”

Response to the Ukraine crisis
In response to the recent Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Japan
immediately imposed strong sanctions against Russia, and adopted support measuresfor Ukraine in close cooperation with the international community, including the G7. With
regard to Russia, Japan has continuously strengthened asset freezes on individuals
and entities, financial sanctions, and trade measures. At the same time, we have, todate, pledged a total of approximately $1.1 billion in assistance to Ukraine and otheraffected countries, and have swiftly provided support to the people of Ukraine, ranging
from the provision of financial, humanitarian, and defense equipment assistance, to thehosting of displaced persons. We will continue to strongly impose sanctions against
Russia and provide assistance for Ukraine.
Russia’s aggression has caused global energy and food crisis. And what ismore, Russia is playing on the false narrative that sanctions against them are the causeof this crisis, attempting to divide the international community by bringing vulnerable

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The Association of Japanese Institutes of Strategic Studiescountries on their side. Despite Russia’s attempt, it has significant meaning that morethan 140 countries supported the resolutions on Ukraine at the UN General Assembly,
which include condemnation of Russia. In coordination with the internationalorganizations such as the IEA (International Energy Agency), FAO (Food andAgriculture Organization of the United Nations), WFP (UN World Food Programme),and while cooperating with other like-minded countries, Japan continues to serve tostabilize the international energy market, support the resumption of grain exports fromUkraine, and provide food-related assistance to countries and regions, including theMiddle East and Africa, thereby contributing to the resolution of the global crisis.
Furthermore, in addition to the protection and support for displaced people,
provision of health and medical services, as well as food aid, Japan has also been
providing winter preparation assistance in Ukraine, including the provision of heating
equipment in the reception centers for displaced people and protection against cold as
the country faces the coming harsh winter.

Maintaining and strengthening the international order based on the rule of law
Next year, Japan will serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security
Council (SC). As the next G7 Presidency, Japan will actively lead discussions in theinternational community, including on the realization of the speedy restoration of peaceand reconstruction in Ukraine.
The United Nations, which has played a central role in the international order
based on the rule of law, is facing a time of trial due to Russia’s aggression against
Ukraine and other factors. In order to restore credibility in the UN, it is necessary tostrengthen its functions. Looking ahead to becoming a non-permanent member of theSC next year, Japan will (1) advance efforts to reform the UN, including the UN Security
Council, and strengthen its own functions, including disarmament and non-proliferation,(2) promote the rule of law, and (3) strengthen efforts based on the principle of humansecurity in the new era.
Considering the foundation for global governance in the new era, it is also
necessary to flexibly combine and utilize frameworks other than the UN. As theinternational community faces the need to uphold the international order for the next era,
Japan will lead the discussions at the G7 Hiroshima Summit and orient the direction theworld should take. While continuing to strengthen our cooperation in addressing
regional situations in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific as well as global challenges, wewould like to demonstrate G7’s strong determination to categorically deny military

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aggressions, any threats of nuclear weapons, as well as attempts to overthrow theinternational order. And we wish to do so in a way which will be solemnly remembered inhistory.
As “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) based on the rule of law, which Japan
has advocated and promoted, becomes increasingly important, other countries havealso been announcing their own Indo-Pacific policies and demonstrating theirinvolvement in the region. Japan, on its part, will formulate its new plan to promote FOIP,
and further strengthen coordination with partners such as ASEAN, Europe, Oceania,and Latin America and the Caribbean, in addition to the Quad (Japan, Australia, India,and the U.S.).

Addressing the common challenges of humanity
In order to ensure that the international order in the new era remains attractive
to the peoples of the world, we must continue to promote realistic initiatives while
always upholding our political idealism.
Nevertheless, the deep divide among nations on how to advance nuclear
disarmament which has been compounded by Russia's aggression against Ukraine
have amounted to an increasingly difficult situation in achieving nuclear disarmament. In
this regard, we deeply regret that the NPT Review Conference in August could not
adopt a consensus outcome document owing to the single objection by Russia. At thesame time, however, it was meaningful that we were able to compile a draft final
outcome document which all State Parties except Russia were ready to accept, and webelieve this draft final document may provide a useful basis for the international
community to advance realistic discussions on nuclear disarmament. Additionally, it isalso meaningful that the State Parties recognized the importance of maintaining andstrengthening the NPT, which is the cornerstone of the international nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
With the G7 Summit in Hiroshima next year in mind, Japan will continue to takerealistic and practical efforts in line with the “Hiroshima Action Plan” announced at theNPT review conference.
Climate change poses a genuine threat to human life and property as seen in
the frequent floods and heat waves that are occurring around the world－but we should
not abandon our commitment to net-zero despite realizing the current energy crisis.
Accelerating decarbonization and ensuring energy security are not mutually exclusive;
we need to move forward with a realistic energy transition while ensuring energy
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security. Based on the idea of “transforming challenges into engines of growth andachieving sustainable growth,” Japan will promote green transformation to realize
net-zero by 2050. Through the “Asia Energy Transition Initiative,” we will promote thetransition to clean energy while introducing renewable energy to the maximum extent
possible, thereby promoting to realize zero emissions throughout Asia which is theengine of global growth.

Conclusion
Having learned the lessons from the horrors of the two world wars, theinternational community has been striving to resolve various issues under a rules-basedorder. Now, as that order is threatened and the world stands at a watershed moment inhistory, I myself will take the lead in promoting “realism diplomacy for a new era” and will
do my utmost to work for world peace and stability.
I hope that the AJISS Commentary will continue to develop as a forum fordiscussions and ideas on international affairs and Japanese foreign policy.

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