Diplomatic Bluebook of Japan
The Diplomatic Bluebook of Japan is an annual report on Japan's foreign policy and international diplomacy published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. It has been published every year since its first issue in September 1957.[1] The general public have access to all past Diplomatic Bluebooks that are published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Translations in English, French and Spanish are also available.
Summary
The Diplomatic Bluebook presents an overview of Japan's international relations with key neighbouring countries in their current situation. It describes the diplomatic policies that have been taken in response to international affairs surrounding Japan. The 2020 Bluebook states that Japan aims to “ensure its national interests in the political, security, and economic domains, as well as to maintain and develop a desirable international order that is based on universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law”.[2]
The Bluebook comments on global
History
The publication of Diplomatic Bluebooks began in 1957 during the economic boom in Japan. The Bluebooks not only demonstrated Japan's retreat from militarism towards peaceful diplomacy, but that it could also contribute to the international community even as it pursued its own agenda.[3] It demonstrates how Japan is able to assure its national interests by respecting and upholding the national interests of others. The Diplomatic Bluebook of 1991 states that one of the key objectives of Japanese diplomacy is “to clearly demonstrate Japan's willingness to participate in, and cooperate with international efforts to protect universal values such as democracy and fundamental human rights”.[4] This is reflective of Japan's continual efforts to make a “proactive contribution to global peace”.[2]
Regarding relations with
In response to relations with South Korea, the Diplomatic Bluebook has included the phrase that South Korea is “the most important neighbouring country that shares our strategic interests” since 2016, arguing for strengthened military cooperation between Japan and South Korea to counter any potential threat posed by North Korea and China. [7] Both nations are closely allied with the United States, but have a history of conflict and maintain a variety of disputes, such as the territorial ownership of the Liancourt Rocks. However, there has been a distinguishable increase of hardline language in the recent Diplomatic Bluebooks. In 2018, the Bluebook stated that the “Sea of Japan” is the only term with international legal standing for the body of water known in Korea as the “East Sea”.[7] It also omitted the phrase “South Korea is our most important neighbour”, stating only that “solidarity and cooperation between South Korea and Japan is indispensable for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.”[7]
In regard to the
References
- ^ "外交青書". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ a b c d e “International Situation and Japan's Diplomacy in 2019” Diplomatic Bluebook 2020, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2020) Retrieved December 30, 2020
- ^ [Loo, T.M. The politics of Japan's use of World Heritage: from ratifying the World Heritage Convention to the Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus clusters. In Rots, A. and Teeuwen, M. (eds.) Sacred Heritage in Japan (2020): 21. Retrieved November 25, 2020]
- JSTOR 25798580.
- ^ a b "How Japan Talks About Security Threats". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ a b c d Hurst, Daniel. "Japan's Diplomatic Policy Outline Reveals Shifts on North Korea, Russia". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ a b c "Japan sharpens hardline language about Korea in foreign policy report". english.hani.co.kr. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
- ^ a b [“Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook Mentioning Sovereignty over Kurils Contradicts Task of Improving Relations with Russia - Russian Foreign Ministry.” Russia & CIS Military Daily, (May 22, 2020) Retrieved December 27, 2020]
- ^ NEWS, KYODO. "Japan to again designate Russian-held isles as illegally occupied". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2022-04-01.