“It is very comfortable that Japan has defense shield under security umbrella of the United States. “But Japan must also consider to increase her defense capabilities. Recent international military actions have shown that new problems can crop up anytime, anywhere. Best defense guarantees the best security for any country. All countries need to increase their own defense capability to safeguard from foreign attacks”.
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Mohan Krishna Shrestha
Former Ambassador of Nepal to France
(He also worked as Charge d’ Affaires at Nepal Embassy in Japan)
Nepal had established diplomatic relations with 177 countries out of 193 United Nation member countries. Now, only 16 countries are left. Nepal pursues a policy of Friendship with All and Enmity with None. Such a posture is best suited to Nepal’s non-aligned foreign policy. This policy is being implemented in the country since last six decades or more.
Nepal has maintained cordial relations with all countries. But among these, few countries have deep rooted relations with Nepal from historical and commercial points of view. Of course, India in the South and China in the North are two important neighbours of Nepal. Strategic location of the country between these giant countries demands a very good balancing act from diplomatic point of view.
So far,Nepal has adeptly handled such relations without jeopardizing relations with both neighbours. Nepal has also good relations with many developed and donor countries.
Among several donor countries, Japan comes to number one . This can be said frankly as Japan's economic assistance is always strings unattached and these are whole-heartedly devoted for the development pursuits. Japan is a trusted development partner country of Nepal.
I remember one episode of November 2005. At an important luncheon hosted by Japan Nepal Parliamentary Group in Tokyo and attended by many prominent political figures from both government and opposition parties, a noted and senior leader expressed that, in Japan, Government and opposition party agree on one agenda. That is to extend help to Nepal. Such was the high sentiments expressed by a senior political leader of Japan which amply highlighted the deep rooted bilateral relations between our two countries. Relations between our two countries is based on friendship, trust, mutual understanding and cooperative spirits.
Historical Evidence:
More than a century and quarter had passed since the seminal visit was undertaken by Reverend Japanese monk Ekai Kawaguchi to Nepal in1899 A.D. Monk Kawaguchi visited Nepal four times, thereafter, on his way to and back from Tibet. He was a shrewd monk who maintained good relations with then rulers.
Monk was intrepid also and he wrote a 75 page letter to then ruler Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana stating the need for opening educational opportunities to the people. Perhaps, as a consequence, Rana rules sent 8 Nepali students to Japan in 1902 to attain higher studies in agriculture, mining, mechanical engineering, arms technology and Sericulture Those students returned to Nepal after completing their three year's studies.They brought with them seeds of chrysanthemum, wisteria, persimmon and chestnut which are blooming even today in our country symbolizing our ever growing relationship.
Official Relations:
On 1 September 1956, Nepal and Japan decided to establish diplomatic relations. Both countries established residential Embassies in Tokyo and Kathmandu in 1965 and 1967 respectively. Exchange of resident Ambassadors added further fillip to our relations.
After the diplomatic relations was established, many high level important visits were exchanged between our two countries. In fact, high level visits between states are very much necessary which serve as catalysts for furthering the relations. From Nepal side also late Kings, Princes and high level political leaders paid official visits to Japan.
Similarly, from Japan side also, former Emperor and Empress visited Nepal twice. Current Emperor also paid official visit to Nepal in 1987 while he was the Crown Prince. Such occasions gave ample opportunities for both sides to know each other deeply and to expand vistas of cooperation.
Exchange of visits by our former Prime Ministers, other political leaders, parliamentarians, high level bureaucrats have been a regular phenomenon. Now, with the inauguration of direct flight between our two capitals, it would further add momentum in our bilateral relations.
Cooperative Relations:
Japan began giving economic and technical assistance to Nepal since 1969. It has been now, 54 years that Japan’s cooperation is continuing. Such economic cooperation has reached to almost 400 billion rupees. The beauty of Japanese cooperation is that these are free from any conditions and not motivated by any political ambitions. Japanese assistance represent pure hearts and keen desires to assist Nepal in her economic development efforts. Japan, as a fast and steady progressive nation is giving economic and technical cooperation to developing countries including Nepal.
With Japanese economic and technical cooperation, many projects in aviation, education, health, transportation and water supply have been accomplished. These projects accrue direct benefits to the Nepalese people. Their services touches the everyday life of the people. In fact, the true spirit of Japanese cooperation is guided towards uplifting the life of the people.
Many old Japanese still consider Nepal as old Japan and when they visit Nepal, they become nostalgic. However, Japan has changed, by now, tremendously and it is a highly developed, technocratic and advanced nation. Japan has had produced many wonders in technological and scientific areas which helps humanity at large.
Japan is famous all around the world for many social values and cultural aspects also. Sticking to time is number one hallmark well known all over the world. Time is changing fast. We,therefore, should not be sitting pretty singing the laurels of our past history only. We need to ponder for coming days, years and age. In my personal opinion, we need to do more and more meaningful and important works to further nurture and bolster our age-old relations for our mutual benefit.
We need to develop trade and commerce, promote FDI and activate cooperation in other possible areas for development. Keeping in view, the fast changes which are pervading in our both countries, we must elevate our cooperative relations to further heights exploring new ventures and further widening the vistas of cooperation between our countries.
Japan after Second World War:
Japan, after her defeat in the Second World War, saw a tremendous hardship in the national life. A detail description of such horrendous situation, Japan faced after the defeat in the Second World War can be read in the book Embracing the Defeat written by John Dower.They were subjugated by Americans and even their constitution was prepared by them. In the Article 9 of the constitution, Japan renounced war forever and committed herself to work for peace. This spirit was guided by a sense of repentance that Japanese Imperial Army perpetrated heinous crimes, here and there, against occupied countries and its people.
When Japan indulged in her nation building, they borrowed money from Americans under Marshall Plan. But, they soon repaid those debt just within three years. Japanese came to realize that under the shadow of debt, it will be difficult to progress and prosper. Japanese mobilized massive domestic savings and those were invested in trade and commerce, industrial production and technological advancement.
Japan in the 21st Century:
Although landmass is not that big, Japan has a large population of 125 million. Population density, therefore, is quite high. Recent phenomenon indicates that Japan is facing great demographic changes. Late marriage by youngsters and low birth rate might, possibly, lead to a massive drop in the population. Less population means less working hands. Such a drop in birth rates has led to the closure of even schools and hospitals. Such emerging demographic change is a serious problem in Japan. Lack of workers in the industries has compelled Japan to import workers from abroad.
Since last few years, Japan has slipped to number 3 economy of the world with a Gross Domestic Product of 4,491 trillion dollars. Intense competition between large economies remains as a big threat. Nations are progressing with high tempo and they are incrementing their GDP every year. So, Japan must always remain competitive with efficient production machinaries.
On diplomatic front, Japan follows, rather a quiet diplomacy, in the international field. Except for some stark actions, Japan’s response to international crises remains at a low key level. For example, in the Middle East War when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1991, Japan provided 13 billion dollars as economic aid and avoided direct involvement of its military men. Because, Japan’s constitution forbids sending its military men to be engaged in direct war.
However, since few years, there seems to be some changes in her policy. As South China Sea remains a hotbed of international competition, Japan also seemed awakened to the emerging security issues. Moreover, occasional firing of missiles by North Korea also alarms Japan. Although not directly hit so far, such firing of missile always pose a high risk to the security of Japan. It, therefore, has become incumbent on Japan to review her defense policy vis-à-vis emerging new challenges.
It is very comfortable that Japan has defense shield under security umbrella of the United States. But Japan must also consider to increase her defense capabilities. Recent international military actions have shown that new problems can crop up anytime, anywhere. Best defense guarantees the best security for any country. All countries need to increase their own defense capability to safeguard from foreign attacks.
At international political and diplomatic level, Japan is taken as an economic giant but political and diplomatic minnow. This is because of Japan’s low ebbed diplomatic activities. Although a big munificent donor country, but Japan’s role in international relations is not starkly visible. Japan hosted an international conference on the Reconstruction of Afghanistan issues in 2002 which attracted international attention. With pro-active actions like that, Japan must be visible and contribute in, possible ways. in resolving big international political and diplomatic issues. Japan diplomatic machinery is quite efficient, no doubt. They, therefore, must play assertive and pro-active roles in the international issues.
In coming days, I consider, Japan should take note of the following points. 1.Japan must prepare and produce a very capable candidate for assuming the post of Secretary General of the United Nations. Japanese diplomatic machinery works very efficiently when Japan presents its candidate for election in other UN posts. In UN specialized agencies like International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)and World Health Organization (WHO), Japanese diplomats have been appointed as Director Generals. Similarly, Japan should produce such a candidate for appointment to the post of Secretary General of the United Nations in coming days. Less in everything, neighboring Korean national has already assumed such high post for 10 years.
2. Japan must pursue its ambition to be elected as a member of the United Nations permanent Security Council once it is restructured and expanded. Right now, only China represents from Asian continent. Scenario has vastly changed in the world affairs since the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. This permanent Security Council should not remain confined to Five permanent members only.
Rather it must be restructured according to the changing times to deal with emerging world issues most effectively. Japan provides 247.72 million dollars to the annual budget of the United Nations and $529.26 million for peace keeping operations. Total contribution comes to $776.98 million. This is a huge sum which Japan gives to the United Nations.
3. Although Japan is being covered by security umbrella of the United States, but Japan must consistently upgrade her defense capability through appropriate means. Two Koreas in the Korean peninsula are still at loggerheads. They have not signed a peace treaty ever since the war ended in 1953. Peninsula is divided into two camps with different political ideologies. They have endured a very tragic internecine war in the past. So, dangers from such a grave situation remains unabated. Lack of peace treaty yet is a serious situation to be noted.
4. Japan is providing economic and technical cooperation to many countries in six continents. Just getting economic aid, recipient countries can achieve progress or not. It depends on the ability and accountability of the recipient countries. Japan, therefore, should give less grants and zero interest loans repayable in the long term.
Japan must also expand trade and investment activities in developing countries. They should finance on projects which touches the life of the people directly. It is, indeed, a good policy that Japan has started giving financial support to even NGO’s for executing projects for the the grass-root people. Results of such projects directly give benefits to the rural people. This is very good and needs augmentation in coming days. School buildings, health posts, water supply taps have been constructed with such grants from the Japanese Embassy grants.
5. Japan must help train more and more human resources in developing countries. Such trainings must be focused to help on development side as well as on increasing accountability. Japan trained bureaucrats can play an instrumental role in fighting corruption and mal-administration. Good governance can guarantee the rightful use of the economic cooperation from donor countries. Japan must help promote accountability, good governance and responsibility sharing virtues so that such people can use and contribute to their own society and the country.
6. Japan should promote interactions with civil society, think tanks and good as well as effective NGOs in developing countries. She must also promote cultural diplomacy with other countries. People can learn many societal and cultural values from Japanese society. These lessons will be quite helpful and useful in the long run. Japan is the first country in the world to have bore the brunt of first atomic bombing causing unimaginable sufferings and losses. Their longing for peace, development and cooperation, therefore, is quite understood and reasonable.
Date: 8 February 2023.
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