Japan Diplomacy

Japan's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday altered its description of the country's relationship with South Korea, and deleted its previous reference that stated the two nations share the same fundamental values.
The change in reference was made in Japan's annual foreign policy report, known as the Diplomatic Bluebook.
The report was presented to cabinet members at a meeting on Tuesday morning by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

Speaking to reporters, Kishida stressed that South Korea remains the most valuable neighbouring country for Japan.
He added the change was made to put foreign policy in line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy speech made earlier this year.
Relations between Japan and South Korea remain strained over prolonged territorial disputes over islets known as Takeshima in Japanese and Dokdo in South Korea.
In the Diplomatic Bluebook, Japan also included a chapter reflecting on its history of diplomacy over the past 70 years since the end of World War II.

It reiterated Japan's commitment to remaining a "peace-loving nation" going forward amid increasingly diverse risks and threats.