Multilateral Political Diplomacy: The United Nations and Peacekeeping Operations

The United Nations became the driving force behind the Japanese foreign policy immediately after Japan joined the UN. In February 1957 Foreign Minister Kishi announced in his parliamentary policy speech the three pillars of postwar Japanese foreign policy, 'United Nations-centred diplomacy', 'Cooperation with the free world', and 'Maintaining the position as a member of Asia'. UN peacekeeping operations were substantially activated from the end of the 1980's. The end of the Cold War opened a real possibility for consensus-building within the Security Council, without always being hampered by vetoes from a permanent member. Disarmament and non-proliferation have been areas to which Japan has paid continued attention and tried to take initiatives in its postwar foreign policy. It could be explained by its determination to become a peace-loving nation and its experience of being subjected to nuclear bombs in 1945.Keywords: centred diplomacy; Cold War; disarmament; non-proliferation; peacekeeping operations; United Nations (UN)