Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Prime Minister Delivers a Foreign Policy Speech at a Lecture Hosted by the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)

Prime Minister Taro Aso delivered a foreign policy speech entitled, "Japan's Diplomacy: Ensuring Security and Prosperity," at a lecture hosted by the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), which was held at a hotel in Tokyo.

In the speech, Prime Minister Aso first spoke about the security of the world and of Japan. With references to the North Korean issue, the enactment of the Anti-Piracy Measures Law and counter-terrorism measures, and the responsibilities of the government and the ruling coalition, the Prime Minister reiterated the necessity of ensuing the effectiveness of the Japan-US alliance and for Japan to fulfill its international responsibilities in tangible ways, explaining that when Japan takes proactive steps, Japan truly furthers its own national interests.

On the subject of the prosperity of Japan and of the world, Prime Minister Aso expressed his intention to accelerate strategic international contributions, an issue of top priority for the Economic and Fiscal Reform 2009 adopted recently as a Corridor for Peace and Prosperity initiative, and announced the Eurasia Crossroads, a new initiative to bring the Eurasian continent together both north to south and east to west.

Prime Minister Aso explained measures to send Japan's message to the world, which are the sending out of Japan's "soft power," the reinforcement of Official Development Assistance (ODA), and intellectual exchanges through think tanks, stressing the necessity of taking the lead in creating a new order by orchestrating Japan's intellectual powers through cooperation among industry, government, and academia.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Aso said, "I very much hope that the operations of this terakoya cultivating peacebuilders will be greatly enhanced in the future under the banner of Japan as a peaceful nation. Hope visits those who exercise strict self-discipline, accumulate learning, and take necessary actions. This is true both for individuals and for nations. In this important aspect, I will continue to uphold the security and prosperity of Japan and the Japanese people through to the end."

Related Link

• Japan's Diplomacy: Ensuring Security and Prosperity
  Speech by H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan