Tokyo – (Jiji Press) Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday a major organizational reform set to take effect on Friday, which includes the creation of an Economic Security Division under the Economic Affairs Bureau.
This new division aims to enhance Japan’s response to economic security challenges, particularly in strengthening supply chains for critical minerals amid rising U.S.-China tensions. Currently, economic security matters are managed by the National Security Office’s Economic Security Policy Division under the Foreign Policy Bureau.
In addition to the Economic Security Division, a General Affairs Section and an Economic Diplomacy Strategy Section will be established within the Economic Affairs Bureau. The General Affairs Section will coordinate overall economic diplomacy efforts, while the Economic Diplomacy Strategy Section will focus on emerging issues such as digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The reorganization also includes merging the Western Europe, Central Europe, and Southeastern Europe divisions under the European Affairs Office into two new sections: the First and Second European Affairs Divisions. The Second European Affairs Division will include a unit dedicated to handling policies related to Ukraine, Poland, the three Baltic states, and three other countries, allowing for more focused attention on issues arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
— News Original —
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs establishes an economic security division
Tokyo – (Jiji Press) Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday a major organizational reform set to take effect on Friday, which includes the creation of an Economic Security Division under the Economic Affairs Bureau.
Through this new division, the ministry aims to improve its response to economic security issues, such as strengthening supply chains for critical minerals amid rising U.S.-China tensions.
Currently, economic security matters are managed by the National Security Office’s Economic Security Policy Division under the Foreign Policy Bureau.
A Public Affairs Section will be established within the Economic Affairs Bureau to coordinate overall economic diplomacy, and an Economic Diplomacy Strategy Section will be responsible for addressing emerging issues, including those related to digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The Western Europe, Central Europe, and Southeastern Europe divisions under the European Affairs Office will be reorganized into the First and Second European Affairs Divisions. The Second European Affairs Division will have a unit dedicated to handling policies related to Ukraine, Poland, the three Baltic states, and three other countries, enabling more intensive handling of issues related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
(The original text in English, Jiji Press)