[Diplomacy] Japanese Security Policy and Public Diplomacy (Mr. Shigeki Takizaki) (24th April 2012)
On 24th April 2012, Mr, Shigeki Takizaki, Director, Personnel Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a lecture about “Japanese Security Policy” and “Public Diplomacy”. First, he explained about the “Japanese security policy”. After explaining what is national security and the security environment of Japan which has remained unstable even after the Cold War finished, he demonstrated Japan’s three-layered security policy. The first one is to protect itself by its own efforts such as the Self-Defense Forces. The second is to strengthen Japan-US security arrangements. The last one is to contribute to global security by sending SDF to UN peacekeeping operations, working active at various international organizations such as the UN etc. Second, he explained about “public diplomacy”. It is diplomacy which works directly upon individuals and the public opinion abroad to increase a national interest and to achieve diplomatic purpose. It is getting more important because the public opinion today mobilizes a government especially in democratic society. However, it is difficult for the public diplomacy to achieve something beyond real diplomatic policy or what a country really is. Finally he showed Japanese public diplomacy to the US through his experiences such as JET(Japan Exchange and Teaching) programme and the centennial of gift of cherry trees from Japan to US. (Yui Narikawa)