Japan’s Global South Diplomacy, what to expect?

Japan is actively pursuing different avenues of diplomacy with the latest being Global South.

Japan has long been a significant player in global diplomacy, with a focus on strengthening economic, political, and cultural ties with countries around the world. In recent years, Japan has also shown a growing interest in engaging with countries in the Global South. This article explores Japan’s diplomacy with the Global South and the opportunities and challenges that come with it.

 Japan has long been seen as a passive member of the Global North, however, its recent leadership in the world of strategic ideas has been nothing short of impressive. It was Tokyo, under Shinzo Abe which constructed and popularized the term “Indo-Pacific” over the last decade. It was Tokyo’s efforts which lead to the rise of the Indo-Pacific as an integral part of the geopolitics of Asia.

 GLOBAL SOUTH

 It seems that the same efforts are being put into the term “Global South” by Japan, under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Mr Kishida has raised the idea of “Global South” which is an umbrella term used to describe countries in the Southern Hemisphere, primarily in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These countries face various challenges, including poverty, underdevelopment, and social and economic inequality. Japan’s diplomacy with the Global South has evolved over the years, driven by various factors, including economic interests, security concerns, and a desire for global leadership. As the chair of the G7 this year, Japan can draw the attention of the most powerful states in the world towards this group of countries especially South Asia. Since the collapse of the USSR, Global South has been overlooked by the G7, Japan wants it to reconnect. This step also boosts India’s diplomacy as the same issue was raised by India in its run-up to the G20 presidency.

DIPLOMACY

Japan is undergoing a major transformation of its foreign and security policies under PM Kishida. When the 211th Diet met this year, Mr Kishida gave a major policy speech announcing Japan’s intentions of improving its relations with the Global South. One of the key drivers of Japan’s diplomacy with the Global South is security interests. Long-standing threats from North Korea and continuous Chinese muscle flexing and bullying in the South China Sea have created an atmosphere of unease for Japan.

The Russian aggression on Ukraine and the resulting war has highlighted the position of many states that wished to remain neutral, as various small states prefer to showcase their autonomy through old and new great powers. Mr Kishida is one of the few leaders in Asia who has clearly stated the ramifications of this act of aggression. Mr Kishida has said that if we let this change in status quo by force go unchallenged, it can happen anywhere.

Japan wants to establish “peaceful coexistence” as the decades-old status quo for the Indo-Pacific, in the face of Chinese hegemonic attempts. It wants to establish conditional regionalism wherein China will only be included in the region on the condition that it will abide by the accepted norms and values of International Law. The essential relationship between diplomacy and defence has been recognised by Japan.

 ROAD AHEAD

Japan has been active in promoting development in the Global South. Japan has been a significant contributor to international aid, providing significant financial and technical assistance to countries in need. Japan has also played a leadership role in promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working to support the achievement of these goals in the Global South. 

Japan needs now to focus on values-based Diplomacy alongside QUAD and G7. Tokyo needs to strengthen its narrative by making it more compelling and using more innovative platforms like TICAD ( Tokyo International Conference on African Development ) and its “C5+1” framework initiative in Central Asia.

CHALLENGES

However, there are also challenges in Japan’s diplomacy with the Global South. One of the key challenges is the diversity of the Global South, which is made up of countries with different economic, political, and cultural systems. This diversity can make it difficult for Japan to formulate a unified strategy and approach to engaging with the Global South.

Another challenge is the competition from other countries, particularly China. China has been increasingly active in the Global South, investing heavily in infrastructure and offering financial assistance to countries in need. This competition can make it difficult for Japan to compete for influence and partnerships in the region.

 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Japan’s diplomacy with the Global South is an important aspect of its global engagement. Japan has sought to leverage its economic, political, and cultural resources to engage with the Global South, promoting development, security, and stability in the region. However, there are also challenges to Japan’s engagement with the Global South, including the diversity of the region and competition from other countries.

Despite these challenges, Japan’s engagement with the Global South will likely continue to be an important part of its foreign policy in the years to come.