Lecture by Ambassador Ishizuka on Japan’s foreign policy and Japan–Georgia relations
2026/9/11
On September 9, Hideki Ishizuka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Georgia, gave a lecture at his residence for representatives from the University of Tsukuba and Ilia State University on the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” strategy of the Government of Japan, and explained the following key points:
・ “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” strategy was launched by Prime Minister Abe (at the time) at the 2016 G7 Ise-Shima Summit, which clearly demonstrates the improvement of “connectivity” between Asia and Africa through a free and open Indo-Pacific as a keyword; and Japan’s stance of remaining committed to observing international law, including the UN Charter, and working to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the international community.
・ And in May 2026, the updated FOIP strategy was announced by Prime Minister Takaichi. In the updated FOIP, Amid an increasingly severe international environment, it is essential for countries in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, to enhance resilience and promote their freedom to decide for themselves across economic, social, and security domains, so that they can determine their own future while recognizing the complexities of interdependence.
・Japan supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has consistently supported its economic and social development, and Georgia is an important partner for Japan in maintaining and strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. In particular, in terms of “enhancing connectivity,” which is one of the priority areas even in the updated FOIP, Georgia serves as a strategic gateway linking the Central Asia and the Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. In this way, The Ambassador believes that Japan and Georgia can together develop FOIP with the dramatic increase in the importance of “international commons".
・ “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” strategy was launched by Prime Minister Abe (at the time) at the 2016 G7 Ise-Shima Summit, which clearly demonstrates the improvement of “connectivity” between Asia and Africa through a free and open Indo-Pacific as a keyword; and Japan’s stance of remaining committed to observing international law, including the UN Charter, and working to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law in the international community.
・ And in May 2026, the updated FOIP strategy was announced by Prime Minister Takaichi. In the updated FOIP, Amid an increasingly severe international environment, it is essential for countries in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, to enhance resilience and promote their freedom to decide for themselves across economic, social, and security domains, so that they can determine their own future while recognizing the complexities of interdependence.
・Japan supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has consistently supported its economic and social development, and Georgia is an important partner for Japan in maintaining and strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. In particular, in terms of “enhancing connectivity,” which is one of the priority areas even in the updated FOIP, Georgia serves as a strategic gateway linking the Central Asia and the Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. In this way, The Ambassador believes that Japan and Georgia can together develop FOIP with the dramatic increase in the importance of “international commons".