Europe is growing increasingly cautious of both Russia and China and is rediscovering Japan’s strategic importance.
Through the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision and deeper cooperation with Western nations, Japan is taking on a greater role in sustaining and advancing the liberal international order.

Europe is becoming increasingly cautious not only of Russia but recently also of China and is beginning to rediscover Japan’s political importance.
2018-01-10
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
In this regard, the Abe administration, keeping China’s maritime expansion in view, has put forward the concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and is seeking to advance maritime cooperation with the United States, Australia, and India.
As a leader among liberal nations alongside Europe and America, Japan will take on even greater responsibility than before in maintaining and developing the liberal world order.
I believe this clearly demonstrates that stance.
In any case, Japan must continue to face the world with cooperation with Europe and the United States as its central axis.
Western nations as well, despite their internal frictions, appear to be increasingly positive about cooperating with Japan for the sake of the liberal international order.
The United States’ emphasis on the Asia-Pacific and on the Japan-U.S. alliance has not changed even under President Trump, and Europe, becoming wary not only of Russia but also recently of China, is beginning to rediscover Japan’s political importance.
The United Kingdom, after leaving the EU, perhaps more conscious than before of being “Global Britain,” is actively pursuing security cooperation with distant Japan, taking on a posture as if aiming for a new era of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
If the pioneers of the Meiji era could see this situation, they would surely be deeply moved.
To be continued.