Value Diplomacy

Foreign Minister Taro Aso has unveiled what he calls the "arc of freedom and prosperity," a new foreign policy vision that will help promote democracy and economic development in Southeast and Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Dec. 2, 2006

.....The envisaged policy is aimed at clarifying Japan's global contribution and serving national interests, such as securing natural resources, through active assistance in these regions.
Aso said Thursday the new vision will become a pillar of diplomatic strategies of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "Another new core policy will be added to the basis of Japan's diplomacy, strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and enhancing relations with neighboring countries, including China, South Korea and Russia," Aso said at a lecture organized by the Japan Institute of International Affairs at a Tokyo hotel.

Aso said the government would:

-- Employ "value diplomacy" that emphasizes "universal values" such as democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law and a market economy.

-- Be actively involved in establishing the arc of freedom and prosperity, which will connect a band of emerging democracies around the Eurasian continent.

Japan's assistance in the regions would include "continued support for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam," "support for self-reliant development in Central Asia and the stabilization of Afghanistan," and the "stabilization of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova," according to Aso.

As Aso says, Japan should deliver the "universal values" such as democracy, freedom, human rights, rule of law and a market economy to less democratic and free areas. I am for that; But this seems to be a photocopy of what the U.S. president George W. Bush pursues as a primary goal of his foreign policies. Japan should have its own original values in a foreign policy vision, for example, "Bushido" spirit, which tells us to be gentle to the poor and the weaker. * Bushido: The traditional code of the Japanese samurai, stressing honor, self-discipline, bravery, and simple living.

And he also suggests that Japan be actively involved in establishing the arc of freedom and prosperity. This is also an imitation of Bush's diplomacy. How will he persuade the countries disturbing the freedom and human rights of people like China, Russia and North Korea to promote such universal values in their countries?

I think that what he says is right. However, he should unveil rather "how" he will do next to help promote democracy and freedom in the Eurasian continent.