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Foreign Affairs Outlook for 2022​​   

Japan's Political and Diplomatic Outlook for 2022 ​

Lee Myon Woo 

(mwlee@sejong.org) 

Vice President, 

the Sejong Institute

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English Abstract

In 2022, Japan's major policy topics, as in most countries, will focus on how to deal with the worsening COVID-19 situation, how to deal with the worsening economic damage, and how to deal with the deepening U.S.-China competition. Looking at the prospects of Japanese politics and diplomacy in 2022, it is likely that Japan will pay more attention to domestic politics and domestic policy in the face of the House of Councilor’s general election. Amid the intensifying U.S.-China competition, Japan will strengthen its solidarity with the U.S. rather than with China. Also, It will be important to promote private exchanges that can respond to the lack of trust in the long run as the main key to creating and resolving the current conflict is the recognition of the need for the other country.