Tadahiro ABE Foreign Policy of Japan

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Khazar University Institutional Repository Tadahiro ABE Foreign Policy of Japan Page 1 of 136 © Khazar University Press, 2007 All rights reserved Abe, T. Foreign policy of Japan / Tadahiro Abe. ISBN 9952-20-040-9 1. Japan -- Foreign relations -- United States. 2. Japan -- Foreign relations – Azerbaijan. 327.52-dc22 Published and Distributed by Khazar University Press 11 Mahsati Street Baku, AZ1096, Azerbaijan Tel.: (+994 12) 421-7927 Fax: (+994 12) 498-9379 URL: www.khazar.org E-mail: [email protected] Page 2 of 136 To my wife, Toshiko, and daughters Kaori and Hazuki Page 3 of 136 Contents Foreword -6 Preface - 8 CHAPTER I JAPAN-US BILATERAL RELATIONS 1.1 Current Japan-US Relations and Asia-Pacific (Lecture at Mukogawa Forth Wright Institute April 21, 2004) 10 1.2 Current Japan-US Relations and Asia-Pacific (January 22, 2004) 20- 1, 3. Overview of the Current Asia-Pacific and Japan-US Relations (Lecture at Western Washington University November 14, 2003) 29 1.4. Overview of the Current Asia-Pacific and Japan-US Relations (June 10, 2003) --39- 1.5. Current situations in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan-U.S. Relations (Lecture at University of Washington March 6, 2003) ----- 44 1.6. New Wave of Evolution in Asia and Japan-U.S. Relations (October 7, 2002) 56 CHAPTER II JAPAN-AZERBAIJAN BILATERAL RELATIONS 2.1 Azerbaijan is becoming more important country in the international arena - 60 2. 2 I am optimistic about the future of Azerbaijan --- 64 2.3. Each country in the world has the right to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity-- 67 2. 4. The intellectual level of Azeri people is very high -- 70- 2 .5. Japanese observers to arrive in Baku for Parliamentary Elections 73 2. 6. Japan-Azerbaijan bilateral relations (lecture at Khazar University) -- 76- Page 4 of 136 2 7. We are connected to our past and are devoted to our value (by Mme. Toshiko Abe) -- 83 2. 8. Azerbaijan plays an important role in maintaining peace in South Caucasus --88- 2. 9. If Azerbaijan could utilize the experience of Japan 92 2. 10. Diligence and the code of honour of a traditional warrior - 99 2. 11. Foreign Policy of Japan and Japan Azerbaijan bilateral relations (lecture at State Economic University) -- 104 2. 12. Azerbaijan is a strategic country for Japan -- 115 2. 13. We will have further opportunities for cooperation in sphere of power sector -118 2. 14. I wish Azeri people to live in peace and prosperity 122 Statistics and Charts - 125 Page 5 of 136 FOREWORD With the international community facing new wave of challenges in the 21st century, particularly after the collapse of the Cold-War regime, globalization and interdependence among the countries in the world became common words to be shared in seeking foreign and economic policy of the individual country: Policy adopted in one country tends to have something to do more with the policy of other country directly or indirectly. While effectively addressing various transformations which are taking place in the world, Japan‟s foreign policy in the new century seeks to promote the security and prosperity of the entire international community in a more active manner, recognizing that these are simultaneously integrated with the peace and development of Japan itself. Close relationship particularly between Japan and the U.S. in the various aspects of policy implementation such as Japan-U.S. security arrangements has been a basic foundation of Japan‟s foreign policy in the post-war era through to the 21st century. Renouncing the war as a sovereign right of the nation and use of force as means of settling international disputes, Japan has been maintaining itself as a “Peace-Oriented Nation“ in the international community, trying to contribute for the eventual materialization of global peace and stability. In this context, it is also important for Japan, as a member of Asian region, to have an amicable relation with countries in the Asia and Pacific region through various cooperation and policy coordination. Recognizing the responsibilities that resulted from its position as the second largest global economic power, Japan has been endeavoring to promote sound economic/social development worldwide through application of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the developing countries, as well as contribution to the activities of international organizations such as the United Nations(UN), IMF, WTO, OECD . After the end of the Cold-War and transformation of a global security framework following the fragmentation of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Newly Independent States(NIS) emerged in the international community. They started to make joint efforts for integration into international community and global economy through formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States(CIS), consisting of 12 former Soviet States, though the Baltic States decided to take different steps toward their Europeanization: Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan have successfully utilized their strategic natural resources and geopolitical location for their development. Georgia and Ukraine have benefited from their advantageous location for transportation of oil and gas through their territories to global energy markets. Thus each of the NIS has envisaged its own particular policy towards their development and integration into the international community. Social and economic reform in the former Soviet region is important from global perspective. Therefore, Post-Soviet Space is also one of the top priorities for Japan in applying its peaceful foreign policy. In this regard, the efforts for economic/social reform made by Azerbaijan, with a newly restored oil producing capability, are noteworthy. Japan recognized Azerbaijan since its declaration of independence in 1991, and diplomatic relation was instituted a year later between the two countries. As one of the leading countries in South Caucasus region, Azerbaijan has been making a steady progress for its national development, successfully contributing to the regional peace as well. So, the Government of Japan has been endeavoring to promote mutual understanding between the two countries, and to provide Azerbaijan with various assistance for the purpose of supporting Azerbaijan‟s efforts toward its social and economic development. In shedding light upon the perspectives of Japan‟s Foreign Policy, the following articles may provide some perspectives on the Japan‟s foreign policy in the U.S., Asia-Pacific and the Post-Soviet Space, particularly in Azerbaijan. The articles mainly dealing with the Japan-U.S., and Japan-Asia Pacific Page 6 of 136 relations are excerpted from the lectures which I delivered in the U.S., while I was posted as Consul General of Japan in Seattle, State of Washington, U.S., and those which concern with CIS, or Azerbaijan were taken from the lectures or interviews which I made in Azerbaijan while I was assuming the Ambassador of Japan in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Tadahiro ABE Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan Page 7 of 136 PREFACE Japan is well known as having succeeded in establishing itself as a major economic power in the international community through its steady and strenuous efforts during the latter part of the 20th century, and moving forward as a peace-oriented country placing the internationally recognized common values such as democracy, rule of laws and basic human rights in its national foundation. Over the past sixty years, Japan has been contributing to the realization of global and regional peace through various means such as provision of the Official Development Assistance (ODA), response to the transnational issues like the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, international terrorism, infectious diseases, transnational organized crime and environmental problems in concert with the UN activities and so forth. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the global community got into the so-called Post- Cold War regime where the US and other major countries play substantially important role in maneuvering the international affairs. And Japan has been endeavoring to build a desirable international order through proactive foreign policies on the basis of its alliance with the US and cooperation with the member countries of the international community. Azerbaijan became independent in August, 1991, under the circumstance of the Soviet‟s dissolution, and is in a process of realigning its nation through political, economic and social reform. Japan has been extending its support to these endeavors by working together with the government and people of Azerbaijan through such means as ODA and various consultations. In order to facilitate this process and become reliable partners in the international arena, I believe that it is indispensable for us to know each other correctly and strengthen mutual understanding between us. It is very important to learn about Foreign Policy of Japan in this context, since Japan has been making a unique contribution to a state building of the newly independent countries. Those efforts, I am sure, are highly appreciated by the international community. His Excellency Tadahiro ABE assumed his post as Ambassador of Japan in Azerbaijan in November 2004 and has been making quite extensive work for more than two years. His effort, along with his diplomatic routine, to facilitate mutual understanding between us through his lecture/speech in universities and institutions is highly appreciated by the people in our country. Thanks to Ambassador ABE‟s efforts, Japan and Azerbaijan have succeeded to attain incomparably friendly and meaningful relations ever happened. H.E. Ambassador ABE is a graduate of the faculty of Economy of Japan‟s Keio University. There he obtained a Bachelor degree. After, he continued his education at London School of Economics and completed Master degree course in economics. Also, Mr. Tadahiro Abe, delivered lectures as a visiting scholar at the J.F.

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