Japan is accelerating its engagements with like-minded countries through defense diplomacy, or cooperation using assets of national defense authorities and armed forces in peacetime to create an environment that supports foreign policy and security objectives. These activities are carried out by the Ministry of Defense and each branch of the Self-Defense Forces, and are expected to yield high return as part of broader efforts to secure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region.
This three-part publication series examines the use of defense diplomacy by Japan's Ground, Maritime, and Air Self-Defense Forces. "Defense Diplomacy of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force," written by the former Lieutenant General Goro Matsumura, carefully examines the characteristics of the Land Force on defense diplomacy and discusses the evolution of defense diplomatic activities by the Gound Self-Defense Force (GSDF).
These essays are taken from the Japanese-language book
Bouei Gaiko to wa Nanika (What is Defense Diplomacy? The Role of Military Might in Peacetime), which was published in October 2021 as an output of the Japan's Defense Diplomacy project at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
Additional publications in the series:Defense Diplomacy of Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceDefense Diplomacy of Japan Air Self-Defense Force
