Sophia Magazine vol.4 / WINTER 2016

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Higashi: Japan is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 11th time, the most of any member nation. In terms of the Afghan issue, Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto of Japan was promoted to Special Representative for UNAMA. These events are raising the question of how Japan — and the Japanese — will partici-pate in peacebuilding through the UN.Oshima: As an ambassador to the UN, I was involved in the campaign to reform the UN Security Council and add four nations including Japan to the permanent membership. Due to a number of obstacles, this effort has yet to come to fruition, but what did become clear in the process was how many countries were expressing their support, officially and unofficially, saying that it was fitting for Japan to become a new permanent member. For me, it was a firsthand experi-ence of the level of trust other nations have in Japan.Higashi: In addition to persistent peaceful approaches in solving international conflicts over the past 70 years follow-ing World War II, Japan’s foreign aid including official de-velopment assistance, as well as the Japanese private sector’s commitment involving local talent and culture when estab-lishing a presence overseas, are engendering a great deal of trust in Japan.Oshima: Japan can be restrained in terms of making state-ments at the UN and on the international stage in general, but I think certain good Japanese traditions and cultural qualities of Japan that naturally come to the fore overseas are welcomed. I’m referring to things like a sincere, serious, humble, and steady attitude; promises that are kept; and tal-ent and technology development performed to a standard high enough to take pride in.Right now, the global economy is seeing Chinese influence grow, while America is losing its primacy relatively. From unipolar American dominance in the wake of the Cold War, the world seems to be moving towards a bipolarity, but there are doubts as to how well things will go regardless of which power takes the lead. If there is a third way here, I believe there is more than enough room for Japan to play a part, as a country with a cultural background distinct from either power’s. But for Japan to play the role, there must be com-mensurate commitment and political will — and the ques-tion is whether that exists or not.Higashi: While the Japanese tendency to refrain from as-serting one’s self is a weakness, it can also be a strength if it draws the best out in others and facilitates progress. In that respect, I think Japan can and should play the role of pre-senting the third way as “a global facilitator,” which would provide meaningful debate on how to make peace, distinct from the U.S. and China.Oshima: As a global-minded institution open to the world, Sophia University is definitely required to assume its share of that responsibility. I would love to see students from over-seas not only experience Japanese culture and cultural traits, but take those things with them.Higashi: It is very intellectually exciting for Japanese stu-dents to debate issues regarding peacemaking with foreign students coming from all over the world. It is one of the key pillars of Sophia’ s global activities. We are sincerely looking forward to having more of these international students on our campus. Thank you.After studying at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Held various posi-tions including Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1997-1999), United Nations Under-Secretary-General in charge of Humanitarian Affairs (2001-2003), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipo-tentiary and Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (2004-2007), and Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (2007-2011). Serving as Managing Director of the Africa Society of Japan since 2014.Kenzo OshimaAssociate Professor at the Center for Global Discovery, former Team Leader for Reconciliation and Reintegra-tion in UNAMA (2009-2010), and former Minister-Coun-selor in the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations (2012-2014).Daisaku HigashiIt’s Time to Respond to Both the Enormous Trust in and the Expectations of Japan18Special Talk

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