Diplomatic Bluebook: Japan's Foreign Policy in Various Regions

List of Key Chapter Titles

1. Overview of Central Asia and the Caucasus Region
2. The Situation Regarding Russia, Belarus, Central Asia, and the Caucasus
3. Russia's Domestic Situation
4. Russia's Foreign Policy
5. Overview of Japan-Russia Relations
6. Japan-Russia Economic Relations
7. The Situation in Belarus
8. Major Frameworks Involving Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus Countries
9. Central Asian Countries
10. Caucasus Countries
11. The Nagorno-Karabakh Issue
12. Progress in Japan's Bilateral Relations with Caucasus Countries

Document Introduction

This report is excerpted from Chapter 2 of Japan's "Diplomatic Bluebook 2025." It focuses on analyzing Japan's foreign policy stance and interactions regarding Russia, Belarus, Central Asia, and the Caucasus against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine. The report covers the period from 2024 to early 2025. Based on the Japanese government's official position, records of diplomatic activities, and continuous monitoring of regional dynamics, it aims to provide professionals with an in-depth geopolitical assessment of Eastern Eurasia from a Japanese perspective.

The report first outlines the continuation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting changes in the international landscape. Despite facing severe Western sanctions, Russia seeks to break through by strengthening relations with China, India, North Korea, and countries of the "Global South," while also showing an escalatory posture in its nuclear deterrence policy. While maintaining close geo-economic ties with Russia, most Central Asian and Caucasus countries adopt a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, yet they also face pressures from disrupted trade routes and remittances. The international community, including the United States, Germany, South Korea, and China, has increased its diplomatic engagement with the region. In the Caucasus, partial progress has been made in peace talks and border delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, but a comprehensive peace treaty has not yet been reached; Georgia, meanwhile, is experiencing turmoil due to domestic politics and its EU accession process.

The report dedicates specific chapters to an in-depth analysis of Russia's domestic politics, economy, and diplomacy. On the domestic front, the report notes that Russia's political and social focus is centered on the "special military operation." President Putin has consolidated support for the operation through a series of measures and was re-elected with a high vote share in the 2024 presidential election. Economically, while enduring sanction pressures, inflation, and labor shortages, Russia maintains its economy by shifting to non-dollar settlements, expanding energy exports to countries like China, India, and Turkey, and circumventing technological blockades, with defense spending seeing significant growth. Diplomatically, Russia actively deepens its comprehensive strategic coordination with China, restores and upgrades military cooperation with North Korea, and leverages platforms like hosting the BRICS summit to integrate forces from the "Global South."

Regarding Japan-Russia relations, the report clearly states that bilateral relations are in a difficult state due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Japan continues to coordinate with G7 and other partner countries to implement multi-layered sanctions against Russia, including financial sanctions, trade restrictions, and an oil price cap, and is considering expanding sanctions to third-country entities that circumvent them. At the same time, on specific bilateral practical issues such as fisheries agreements and maritime/air safety, Japan insists on engaging in necessary negotiations with Russia based on its national interests. Negotiations on the territorial issue of the Northern Territories (referred to as the Southern Kurils by Russia) and a peace treaty have stalled due to Russian actions. The Japanese government adheres to its basic policy of concluding a peace treaty by resolving the issue of territorial ownership and strongly demands that Russia resume visa-free exchanges, grave visits, and other activities. Japan continues to protest Russia's military buildup on the disputed islands.

The report also pays attention to the situation in Belarus, noting that while it has not directly participated in the war, it provides support to Russia and consequently faces sanctions, with its domestic political process being questioned by the West. The report also uses charts to outline the major multilateral frameworks involving countries in the region, such as the CIS, CSTO, Eurasian Economic Union, SCO, and BRICS, detailing their membership composition and latest developments.

Finally, the report elaborates in detail on Japan's foreign policy and practices towards the five Central Asian countries and the three Caucasus countries. Japan views Central Asia as a partner in maintaining a free and open international order. It strengthens high-level dialogue and comprehensive cooperation through mechanisms like the "Japan + Central Asia" Dialogue (which marked its 20th anniversary in 2024) and focuses on regional connectivity issues such as the "Caspian Corridor" linking Europe and Asia. In the Caucasus region, based on its "Caucasus Initiative," Japan is committed to supporting nation-building and economic development in regional countries through human resource development and infrastructure assistance, and calls for peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes in regional conflicts like the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The report lists specific diplomatic interactions in 2024 between Japan and the aforementioned countries, including ministerial visits, economic cooperation, energy dialogues, and coordination in international activities.

This report provides firsthand policy statements and records of actions from the Japanese government regarding the situation in key Eurasian regions. It holds significant reference value for researching Japan's diplomatic strategy, the situation around Russia, and the competition and cooperation among major powers in Central Asia and the Caucasus.