Japanese diplomacy now stands at a major turning point. In U.S.–Japan relations, which form the foundation of Japanese diplomacy, uncertainty surrounding U.S. international engagement is increasing against the backdrop of political and social instability in the United States. In non-military fields in particular, the social, human, and institutional pillars that have supported U.S.–Japan relations are weakening, and instability in the foundations of cooperation is becoming increasingly visible.

At the same time, China is strengthening its influence over the formation of international standards and rules through state-led development of advanced technologies and their industrial application. By deploying technologies into markets and infrastructure and linking these efforts to the formation of a new international order, China is advancing the “operationalization” of order through technology.

Against this backdrop of two concurrent developments, namely the growing uncertainty in non-military fields within U.S.–Japan relations and China’s technology-driven order formation, this study group will analyze how Japan can exercise influence in the fields of rules, institutions, and standards. On that basis, it will seek to construct an effective international-order narrative that reflects fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. It will also explore a practical model of international order in which Japan can play a proactive role, including through the design of operational frameworks such as “cooperation criteria” and “agreement procedures.”

To achieve these objectives, this study group conducts research and analysis centered on the following members.