Diplomatic Bluebook Concerns Russia and China

Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released its annual Diplomatic Bluebook 2024. While it maintains Japan’s diplomatic relationship with the United States, the bluebook noted concern on close relationship between Russia and North Korea, or Russia and China. Japan focuses on extending its diplomacy toward likeminded countries in Southeast Asia or Europe, based on Japan-U.S. alliance.

“International community is currently at a major turning point in history once again,” says the bluebook, referring to stable international order after the Cold War. It interprets conflicts in Europe and Middle East, namely Russian aggression in Ukraine and worsened security situation after Hamas’s attack in Israel, as generating distrust of countries, which causes division of international community. “Those two conflicts produced new type of threats including cyberattacks and dissemination of fake information, disturbed international cooperation for solving global problems, and cast shadow on stability and prosperity of regions,” describes the report.

 

On Russia, MOFA stresses its measures including economic sanctions with international communities to halt Russian aggression in Ukraine. “On the issues such as economic activities including fishery or safety in air and sea area which should be dealt as a matter with neighboring countries, Japan is appropriately managing them with regard to national interest of Japan,” says the bluebook. It maintained description on Northern Territory, which confirms Japan’s diplomatic standpoint of seeking a peace treaty with Russia through solving the issue of belonging of the Northern Islands.

 

The bluebook defines relations with China as “one of the most important bilateral relations with close economic ties and human and cultural exchange.” It also noted concerns on China, raising unilateral attempt of changing status quo by force in East and South China Sea including Senkaku Islands, or military activities around Japan including joint operation with Russia.

 

Referring to stability in Taiwan Straits, situation in Hong Kong and human rights in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Japan stays in a traditional principle of bilateral relations with China, “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” Japan seeks “constructive and stable relationship” with China, requesting responsible behavior for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

 

Upholding “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” the bluebook stressed importance of relationship with allies and like-minded countries, quoting diplomatic frameworks such as Japan-U.S.-Australia-India, Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea, Japan-U.S.-Australia, Japan-U.S.-Philippines, or practical cooperation with Group of Seven, ASEAN, Australia, ROK, India, EU and NATO. The concept for regional stability is inspired by a concern of “Ukraine today is East Asia tomorrow,” often mentioned by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

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