One of the Kansai region's leading business lobby groups has called for new diplomatic initiatives to strengthen Japan's relations with other Asian nations, in a bid to reduce regional tensions and consider a defense policy more independent of the present close ties to the United States.
In a 26-page list of proposals released Wednesday, the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives recommended Japan take the initiative and recognize its role in Asia through active diplomacy. In a region marked by tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs, the group also said a balance is needed between "hard power" aspects of the country's diplomacy — such as Japan's national military, economic and technical strength — and its "soft power" diplomacy, such as diplomatic initiatives in climate change, poverty eradication and combating illegal drugs.
The report was prepared by the association's committee on security issues, which includes the heads of nearly three dozen major national and local corporations.
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