Diplomatic Bluebook: Japan's Foreign Policy in Various Regions

Key Chapter Title List

1. Overview of Central Asia and the Caucasus Region
2. Situation in 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. Situation in Belarus
8. Major Frameworks Involving Russia, Central Asia, and 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 with Russia, Belarus, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region 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 official stance of the Japanese government, records of diplomatic activities, and continuous monitoring of regional dynamics, it aims to provide professionals with an in-depth assessment of the geopolitics in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent from Japan's 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 Global South countries, and has shown an escalating 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, but also face pressure from disrupted trade routes and remittances. The international community, including the United States, Germany, South Korea, and China, has intensified its diplomatic engagement with the region. In the Caucasus region, some progress has been made in peace talks and border demarcation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, but a comprehensive peace treaty has not yet been reached; Georgia is in 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 points out that Russian political and social focus is concentrated 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 bearing the pressure of sanctions and facing inflation and labor shortages, Russia maintains its economic operation by shifting to non-dollar settlements, expanding energy exports to countries like China, India, and Turkey, and circumventing technological blockades. Defense spending has increased significantly. Diplomatically, Russia actively deepens comprehensive strategic coordination with China, restores and upgrades military cooperation with North Korea, and leverages platforms such as hosting the BRICS summit to integrate Global South forces.

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 oil price caps, and is considering expanding sanctions on third-country entities that circumvent sanctions. 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 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 Russia's actions. The Japanese government adheres to the basic policy of concluding a peace treaty by resolving the territorial issue 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 focuses on the situation in Belarus, noting that while it has not directly participated in the war, it provides support to Russia and consequently faces sanctions, and its domestic political process is questioned by the West. The report also uses charts to outline the membership and latest developments of major multilateral frameworks involving countries in the region, such as the CIS, CSTO, EAEU, SCO, and BRICS.

Finally, the report details 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, strengthens high-level dialogue and comprehensive cooperation through mechanisms like the "Japan + Central Asia" Dialogue (which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024), and pays attention to regional connectivity issues such as the Caspian Sea corridor connecting 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 construction assistance, and calls for peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes in regional conflicts such as the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The report lists specific diplomatic interactions between Japan and the aforementioned countries in 2024, including ministerial-level visits, economic cooperation, energy dialogue, and coordination in international activities.

This report provides firsthand policy statements and action records 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.