by Paolo Affatato
Vatican City – Japan and other “middle powers” must work together for a nuclear-free world based on the rule of law, in order to promote peace and prosperity in East Asia and on the global stage. This is a commitment shared with the Holy See, says Koji Abe, the new Ambassador of Japan to the Holy See, who began his service in December 2025.
A career diplomat since 1987, Abe has served in Canada, the United States, France, and in Madagascar and the Comoros . Below is the text of the interview given to Fides News Agency.
Ambassador Abe, elections are scheduled to take place in Japan on 8 February. What is public opinion regarding this electoral transition? What are the long-term objectives?
ABE – Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi is the first female prime minister in the history of Japan. She was elected to lead the government in October last year. Due to this change, coalition partner the Komeito party decided to move into opposition, then Prime Minister Takaichi wanted to call an early election to seek a popular and a stronger mandate. Naturally, her administration intends to introduce new policy measures, focusing primarily on the economy: for two years, the Japanese people have been facing rising inflation, as is the case in many other countries. Above all, inflation is weighing heavily on foodstuffs such as rice, a staple food for the Japanese, whose price has doubled compared to a year ago, putting many people in difficulty. I believe that Prime Minister Takaichi’s main objective is to strengthen the Japanese economy. There is an awareness that without a strong economy, there can be no strong diplomacy or strong defence.
How does Japan intend to be a nation that contributes to stability, peace and prosperity in East Asia and on the global stage?
At the end of the Second World War in 1945, Japan was defeated by the Allied forces, mainly the United States. Japan adopted a new constitution, one of the main pillars of which is Article 9 on peace. It was an almost “revolutionary” article because, according to a literal interpretation, it prohibits any kind of military force or military engagement. Of course, successive Japanese governments have interpreted this article in such a way as not to prohibit Japan from having “self-defence forces” for purely defensive purposes. Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has never gone to war. It has never lost a soldier in combat. It has never fired a single shot. So it has never killed anyone. This is post-war Japan. Japan remains the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, an extremely tragic event. And I believe that the Japanese people have imprinted a very strong commitment to peace deep within their culture and their lives. For this reason, even today, there is a very strong feeling that “we must do everything we can to preserve peace”.
Is there also a direct commitment, not only to avoid war but to promote peace in international relations?
Looking back, I remember that in the 1990s, countries around the world participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions through the Blue Helmets. This was certainly a contribution to peace. But in Japan at the time, some politicians said, “Joining the deployment of troops even on a peacekeeping mission could be dangerous and could involve Japan in a conflict”. I didn’t believe that was the case, but at the time, there were people who even opposed to sending peacekeepers on UN missions. Now there has been an evolution. Japan has recommitted itself in this regard, including at the UN. Although we do not have a permanent seat on the Security Council, Japan has been a frequent member committed to peace: in a rapidly changing international landscape, Japan has been and continues to be very committed to multilateralism and economic cooperation to the Global South. Cooperation and contribution to the United Nations system is very important for global peace.
How do you assess Japan’s relations with China and Korea today? After the wounds in the past history, what are the prospects for these relations?
Stable relations with neighbouring countries are high on the agenda. China is a major power, and it is important for every country, including Japan, to establish a stable and productive relationship with China. This is why the Prime Minister is committed to building a Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests with China. At the same time, Japan will work closely with friends and allies including the United States to bring about peace and stability in East Asia.
As for Korea, we must talk both North and South. South Korea is a free and democratic country, an ally of the United States, like Japan: we therefore work closely to address common challenges. Prime Minister Takaichi has been maintaining a close relation with President Lee.
As for North Korea, the issue is more complex: We must work together to denuclearize North Korea and dismantle its long-range missiles. Another particular issue between Japan and North Korea is the abduction issue, a matter I also raised with the Holy See during our brief meetings. In Japan, as early as in the 1970’s, there have been at least 12 Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korean agents. The former PM Koizumi succeeded in bringing back 5 of them but their families awaits the return of 7 others.
The year 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the war and the atomic bombing. In 2026, will Japan share and support Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to peace and global disarmament, including the commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons?
Every year, Japan sponsors a UN resolution on a nuclear-free world. We continue to do so today. We certainly want to see a nuclear-free world, and this is an appeal and a hope that extends to all the major powers. It is an ambitious, long-term goal that must be maintained, but it also requires us to be realistic. The world is becoming more dangerous because of social tensions and outbreaks of war. Japan has had an alliance with the United States since 1952 and today combines defence efforts with diplomacy, or so-called “soft power”.
I would like to note that for Japan in particular, a special kind of soft power is represented by the culture of manga and anime, because young people all over the world love to read them: so I think that this culture can also really contribute to mutual understanding between different peoples. Through all the tools and channels that target the younger generation, it is possible to have an impact on the mindset, in the sense of peace and disarmament. This can be a specific and original commitment of Japanese diplomacy today. Manga and anime are popular in the United States and other parts of Europe, but also in Africa, for example even in Madagascar, where I have served for the past three years. I believe they can be an interesting tool for improving mutual understanding between different people and be a bridge between distant cultures.
Christianity in Japan has an ancient history, marked by martyrdom and extraordinary experiences such as that of the “hidden Christians”. Are these recognised in Japanese culture today? What contribution do you believe Christians can make to the nation?
I think all Japanese people, especially schoolchildren, learn this story. The arrival of Christianity in Japan in 1549, brought by Francis Xavier, is covered in history textbooks in all state schools. The history of hidden Christians is part of our history and is an extraordinary chapter. In my role as Ambassador, I believe I can involve artists or organize cultural events to highlight the contribution of Christianity in Japan and build bridges with the Holy See. I would like to mention that in Italy there are churches that highlight the history of Japanese martyrs, such as the one dedicated to the Japanese Martyrs in Civitavecchia, or the Church of Santa Maria dell’Orto in Rome, the national church of the Japanese in Rome. I believe that, looking at the past, at the history of Christians, the point of arrival for today is peace, that everything leads to peace and religious freedom. In Japan, there is an absolute guarantee of religious freedom; no one feels threatened because of their faith. In the past, this was not the case, and this reminds us how important religious freedom, like freedom of conscience and expression, is throughout the world.
What will be the guiding principles of your service as Ambassador to the Holy See? In what areas do you see the possibility of effective collaboration? What did you particularly appreciate in Pope Leo’s recent address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See?
In a rapidly changing world, as the entire world order is changing, Japan, through its diplomacy, promotes and encourages the importance of universal values such as freedom and democracy, peace, and the protection of human rights. Unfortunately, these universal values are increasingly being called into question. In this scenario, I greatly appreciated and think it is very important that Pope Leo XIV, in his address to the Diplomatic Corps, made a statement on the state of the world. He noted that peace is being sought through force rather than dialogue. He was obviously very concerned, and so are we. I believe that, in this sense, the Holy See and countries such as Japan can work together to promote these values, because we want to live in a world where common values are respected by all. In this area, it is possible to collaborate with the Holy See in promoting these universal values. As the Prime Minister of Canada recently said, I believe that “middle powers” such as Canada and Japan can and must work together to promote these values. I believe the Holy See agrees, because these are also Christian values.
When I met the Pope, I sensed a person who likes to listen to what others have to say, a calm but determined person. I think what the Holy See can do to contribute to a just and peaceful world is really important. When the Pope speaks, people all over the world listen: not only Catholics, not only Christians, but everyone. This is, so to speak, the soft power of the Pope, and his role today is very important on the world stage.
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