This Year, International ‘Our Country 1st’ Rhetoric Raged Internationally
2025 marked 80 years since the United Nations was founded to preserve peace and security in the international community. However, war and conflict continue around the world, and authoritarian politics that disregard international order and democracy continue to rage.
President Donald Trump began his second administration last January. Without any restraint, his “America First” doctrine grew ever more blatant. Trump drastically cut contributions to the U.N. and unilaterally imposed high tariffs on all of America’s trading partners, including Japan, claiming to eliminate the trade deficit.
The situation with China grew close to escalating into a trade war. Even though the U.S. and China reached an agreement in October to avoid exchanging high tariffs for the time being, it is not certain whether this will lead to a sustained easing of tensions.
This is a China that vehemently opposes Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's response to the Japanese Diet regarding the Taiwan crisis. In December, the Chinese military engaged in provocative actions in which Chinese aircraft locked their radar on the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. China will likely continue to take a hard-line stance next year as well. Japan must respond firmly, while at the same time striving toward a mutual understanding with China.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth year. Mediator Trump presented a peace plan, but it showed a pronounced bias toward Russia. The key to realizing peace will be whether or not the U.S. and Europe can collectively stand up to Russia.
The situation in the Middle East is still unstable. In October, Israel and Hamas agreed to the “first phase” of a peace plan, enacting a ceasefire. However, the Israeli military continues to strike the Palestinian territory of Gaza. More than 71,000 people have been killed in Gaza. We hope that the international community will come together in solidarity to stop the humanitarian crisis.
In South Korea's June presidential election, liberal candidate Lee Jae Myung triumphed. Ousted conservative former President Yoon Suk Yeol was charged with the crime of declaring “emergency martial law” last year, and the trial continues.
In November, the U.N. Climate Change Conference (also known as the COP30), which was held in Brazil, failed to set an agenda to “transition away from fossil fuels.” Trump, who called global warming measures “the greatest con job ever perpetrated,” did not attend the conference.
Multilateral cooperation is necessary to building peace and addressing increasingly serious global challenges. Japan’s role in easing tensions will become even more important.
President Donald Trump began his second administration last January. Without any restraint, his “America First” doctrine grew ever more blatant. Trump drastically cut contributions to the U.N. and unilaterally imposed high tariffs on all of America’s trading partners, including Japan, claiming to eliminate the trade deficit.
The situation with China grew close to escalating into a trade war. Even though the U.S. and China reached an agreement in October to avoid exchanging high tariffs for the time being, it is not certain whether this will lead to a sustained easing of tensions.
This is a China that vehemently opposes Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's response to the Japanese Diet regarding the Taiwan crisis. In December, the Chinese military engaged in provocative actions in which Chinese aircraft locked their radar on the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. China will likely continue to take a hard-line stance next year as well. Japan must respond firmly, while at the same time striving toward a mutual understanding with China.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth year. Mediator Trump presented a peace plan, but it showed a pronounced bias toward Russia. The key to realizing peace will be whether or not the U.S. and Europe can collectively stand up to Russia.
The situation in the Middle East is still unstable. In October, Israel and Hamas agreed to the “first phase” of a peace plan, enacting a ceasefire. However, the Israeli military continues to strike the Palestinian territory of Gaza. More than 71,000 people have been killed in Gaza. We hope that the international community will come together in solidarity to stop the humanitarian crisis.
In South Korea's June presidential election, liberal candidate Lee Jae Myung triumphed. Ousted conservative former President Yoon Suk Yeol was charged with the crime of declaring “emergency martial law” last year, and the trial continues.
In November, the U.N. Climate Change Conference (also known as the COP30), which was held in Brazil, failed to set an agenda to “transition away from fossil fuels.” Trump, who called global warming measures “the greatest con job ever perpetrated,” did not attend the conference.
Multilateral cooperation is necessary to building peace and addressing increasingly serious global challenges. Japan’s role in easing tensions will become even more important.
Previous article![]( "Strategic Dissonance")