The government will step up its efforts to build partnerships with nongovernmental organizations and other groups to meet emerging diplomatic challenges, according to the Foreign Ministry's annual foreign policy report released Tuesday.
The Diplomatic Blue Book for 2000, unveiled by Foreign Minister Yohei Kono at the day's Cabinet meeting, summarizes Japan's diplomatic activities in the past year and highlights its basic policy stances ahead.
Pointing to the significance Japan attaches to civic groups and NGOs, the report says, "The role played by civic groups and NGOs is becoming increasingly important in addressing challenges in the international community."