Social Sciences
The main developments in Japanese-Islamic relations in the first week of December took place in regard to the Horn of Africa and the Mindanao peace process. Major preparations were also underway for the Japan-Arab Economic Forum of December 7th and 8th.
As for the Horn of Africa, the new DPJ government appeared to be formulating their policies toward this unstable region. There were comments by Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicating that Japan might send a several-hundred-strong GSDF peacekeeping force to southern Sudan next spring, although Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa downplayed the suggestion.
Meanwhile, Defense Vice-Minister Kazuya Shimba departed Japan on the 7th for an extended tour of Djibouti?where Japan now possesses its first overseas military base?and Bahrain as part of an inspection of MSDF missions in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Overall, Foreign Minister Okada, in particular, seems eager to have Japan participate more actively in southern Sudan, but Somalia policies have yet to depart from the lines laid down by the previous LDP administration.
The establishment of the International Contact Group (ICG) on the Mindanao peace process was formally declared on the 2nd with Japan as a key member. Peace talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are scheduled to take place on the 8th and 9th in Kuala Lumpur. The ICG is intended to guarantee all agreements in the peace process of the two negotiating parties.
The MILF was particularly eager to see Japan as a member of the ICG due to the perception that they have played a fair-minded role in this dispute and have been a major contributor of crucial aid to the Bangsamoro people. It remains unclear how the massacre in the province of Maguindanao on November 23rd and the declaration of martial law on December 5th will affect the larger peace process.
Michael Penn
APP, Nonresident Senior Fellow
Executive Director, Shingetsu Institute
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Social Sciences
Japan examines Sudan and Mindanao policy
As for the Horn of Africa, the new DPJ government appeared to be formulating their policies toward this unstable region. There were comments by Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano indicating that Japan might send a several-hundred-strong GSDF peacekeeping force to southern Sudan next spring, although Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa downplayed the suggestion.
Meanwhile, Defense Vice-Minister Kazuya Shimba departed Japan on the 7th for an extended tour of Djibouti?where Japan now possesses its first overseas military base?and Bahrain as part of an inspection of MSDF missions in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Overall, Foreign Minister Okada, in particular, seems eager to have Japan participate more actively in southern Sudan, but Somalia policies have yet to depart from the lines laid down by the previous LDP administration.
The establishment of the International Contact Group (ICG) on the Mindanao peace process was formally declared on the 2nd with Japan as a key member. Peace talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are scheduled to take place on the 8th and 9th in Kuala Lumpur. The ICG is intended to guarantee all agreements in the peace process of the two negotiating parties.
The MILF was particularly eager to see Japan as a member of the ICG due to the perception that they have played a fair-minded role in this dispute and have been a major contributor of crucial aid to the Bangsamoro people. It remains unclear how the massacre in the province of Maguindanao on November 23rd and the declaration of martial law on December 5th will affect the larger peace process.
Michael Penn
APP, Nonresident Senior Fellow
Executive Director, Shingetsu Institute
- Just What Is Japan's Postwar?
EDITORIAL: Opposition must push Diet debate in postwar landmark year The Asahi Shimbun, February 18, 2015 The ongoing debate in the Diet inevitably turns our attention to the significance of Japan?s 70 post-World War II years. In his policy speech on...
- Sakakibara's Smile
On January 16, Eisuke Sakakibara, Japan's former Vice Finance Minister for International Affairs during the 1990s, known as "Mr. Yen," gave a frank assessment of Japan in the international economy over a meatloaf lunch at the Foreign Correspondents...
- Prime Minister Of Japan's Schedule December 14-15
December 15, 2011 AM 08:52 The office of PM 09:11 Ministerial Meeting on the Overseas Deployment of Integrated Infrastructure Systems 09:24 Council for Science and Technology Policy 10:02 Mr. Furukawa, Minister of State for National Policy; Mr. Ogushi,...
- Largest Japanese Delegation To Iraq In 20 Years
Koichi Takemasa, Japan State Secretary for Foreign Affairs (pictured), toured Iraq and Jordan mid-December to enhance the DPJ government's political and economic relations. On the 20th, Takemasa attended the Second Japan-Iraq Business Forum, which...
- Okinawa Air Base In Focus
Mike Mochizuki, Asia Policy Point board member and soon to be a dean at George Washington University and Brookings scholar Michael O'Hanlon get to the heart of the Futenma dispute in an op ed in Friday's (December 18th) Washington Times. What...