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May.25.2024 KIP Forum " Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific'Policy"
Mr. Noriyuki Shikata, Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs
Mr. Noriyuki Shikata spoke about Japan's foreign policy with the Indo-Pacific region, and participants discussed what projects Japan should propose to the Prime Minister in order to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific policy.
【Speech and Q&A】
The speaker spoke about the specific status of Japan's foreign and security policy initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with regard to its relations with ASEAN member countries. He also spoke about deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance and strengthening economic and academic ties between the two countries.
【Ground discussion】
The theme of the discussion was "What projects would you propose to the Prime Minister in order to realize Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific Policy'? Some were not favorably disposed to the idea of a large increase in the number of foreign workers in Japan, and some suggested sending Japanese nationals to foreign countries to conduct joint research and other technological exchanges, leading frameworks and rule making to promote the use of AI in the Indo-Pacific region and East Asia, and promoting the development of a climate change and public health policy in areas where Japan is competitive. In addition, the participants also expressed their opinions on mutually beneficial technology provision in areas in which Japan has a competitive edge, such as climate change and public health. Regarding AI, some expressed concern about the handling of confidential information in the field of cyber security and other areas related to national security, and wondered if Japan's digital technology was superior. In response, the security clearance team was asked to provide security clearance services. In response, opinions were exchanged that narrowing down the number of people who can handle information, such as security clearances, and changing Japanese attitudes toward immigrants may be useful for the smooth acceptance of foreign workers. The discussion was lively, as it raised awareness of the problem of resistance to the word "immigrant" among Japanese.
【Personal Opinion】
I learned a great deal from the forum, gaining a wide range of knowledge about Japan's foreign and security policy, which I had only received piecemeal information from individual news reports. In the discussion, I proposed the ideas of expanding technical cooperation overseas and other initiatives that are already underway, but after hearing the novel opinions of others, I felt the need to think more flexibly. Since this discussion was not on a theme with options such as approval or disapproval, a wide range of opinions based on knowledge in each area of interest were presented, which I found interesting. Finally, I would like to thank the speakers again for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their valuable insights with us.
Kaede Matsumoto, 1st year student, Faculty of Art and Design, Musashino Art University