Japan's African Policy And Its Strategic Aims In The New Century

Since entering the 21st century,along with the development trend of world multi-polarization and the increased competition in overall strength of the country,the rapid development of economic globalization and the emergence of a global energy crisis,the sharp correction in U.S.global strategy,the increasing stability of African political situation and economic sustainable growth,as well as the African countries' independent diplomacy and its United Self-Reliance in the international arena,many countries have begun to apply new strategic vision to observe Africa and adjust for their African policy,so that the black African continent once again becomes an influence center in the global competition.From the objective of national development strategy,Japan also re-positions the influence of Africa,actively involves in Africa's political and internal affairs for the sake of safeguarding its national interests,and achieving its strategic aim of "political power".At present,Japan's African diplomacy has been to simply focus on economic interests into "fully engaged",such as political,economy,culture,energy,trade and multilateral diplomacy;from a strategic point of view,the new circumstances requires Japan to have an accurate understanding of the development in African region and future direction,and actively seize the opportunity and use innovative thinking to further the development of friendly relations.Through recalling more than 50 years history of bilateral relations and policy between Japan and Africa in the 20th century,this paper systematically expounds Japan's new century's policy toward Africa and its specific implementation,then analyzes deep-seated causes and strategic intent of Japan's African policy.This article is intended to explore the adjustments and the future of its African policy,and then provides some references for the development of the bilateral relations between China and Africa.There are four parts in this paper.The first part is simply about the history of bilateral relations and policy between Japan and Africa in the 20th century.During the Cold War,most Japan's diplomacy was subordinated to the "Japan-US co-ordination",but its African policy had some "autonomy" and mainly focused on the priority diplomacy of resources and economic;After the Cold War, the degree of importance to Africa has been greatly improved,this could contribute to the promotion of economic relation and trade development between Japan and African countries; Also Japan could obtain African countries' understanding and support,then enter the rank of the UN Security Council permanent members.The second part firstly analyzes the realities of Japan's African policy in the beginning of new century:Japan's pragmatic diplomacy is increasingly clear,and pays much attention to the maintenance of national interests;the rise of neo-conservatism,and the growing demands of major power;its relative decline in international economic status and the rise of political influence;the increasing stability of African political situation and the economic development becoming potential.Then,the paper mainly focuses on Japan's African policy in the beginning of the 21st century:the high-level visits between Japan and Africa enhances mutual understanding and trust;adjusting its African policy in order to strengthen the economic influence in Africa;Tokyo International Conference on African Development(TICAD) has become an effective platform for cooperation between two sides;also,actively organizing large meetings and involving Africa's internal affairs.Through these measures,Japan has strengthened the ties with African countries,political,economic and trade relations have been further deepening.Japan's policy toward Africa has a certain degree of inheritance and continuity,we should also notice Japan's policy toward deepening and there are some new features.The third part concretely analyzes Japan's strategic intentions of its African policy. Japan's African diplomacy are no longer satisfied with purely economic,but to increasing the political characteristics of "power diplomacy".Japan's interests in Africa and infiltration are mainly based on the following strategic considerations:keeping the positive development of bilateral friendly relations to promote its goal of political power;drawing on Africa's market potential and natural resources to promote Japan's sustainable development of national economy;adapting America's policy toward Africa and strengthening its influence in the international arena,and among its Western alliances;getting African countries' understanding and support,then entering the rank of the UN Security Council permanent members;seizing the initiative on the African continent and containing other countries' African diplomacy; defending the concept of value in the West countries,and obtaining the influence in process of the international rule-making.The fourth part is the outlook of Japan's African policy in the future.Its African policy will continue to maintain a proactive posture,economic and trade relations will be further developed;its policy will be gradually incorporated into its overall framework of political power status;Japan will pay much attention to the concept of value and cultural exchanges. However,Japan's domestic and foreign affairs has a strong indication of the "Japan-US axis". And for the pragmatism of its policy,Japan's policy toward Africa will remain subject to all kinds of constraints.