Listening, before Leading: Japan's Bridging Role and Pragmatic Diplomacy for Advancing Liberal Order as an Asian Country
19 Pages Posted: 19 May 2025
Date Written: April 25, 2025
Abstract
Japan's diplomatic approach emerges as a nuanced strategy for bridging gaps in the global institutional and liberal order, which tends to be characterized by ingrained Western-centrism and sustainability concerns. By prioritizing strategic listening and contextual understanding, Japan has showcased an approach that emphasizes its bridging role. The 2023 Hiroshima Summit exemplified this approach, with Japan actively engaging "Global South" perspectives and creating more inclusive dynamics, as seen in its contextual setting, operational collaboration with the G20, tactical leverage of initiatives, and strategic framing. Represented by the emphasis in the G7 on "various and practical pathways" to decarbonization, key initiatives like the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) also demonstrate Japan's proactive approach to global governance from this perspective, acknowledging diverse national circumstances. While not a silver bullet, these efforts represent a model of international collaboration that respects contextual diversity and practical considerations, not only addressing representation challenges but also enhancing Japan's diplomatic influence.
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