Japan National Dialogue on R2P and Atrocities Prevention
Co-organized:
The R2P Network of Japan（R2Pネットワーク）
The Sophia Institute of International Relations（上智大学国際関係研究所）
The Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (APR2P)
Supported:
The Institute for Asia Human Community (AHC), Waseda University
（早稲田大学 地域・地域間研究機構アジア・ヒューマン・コミュニティ研究所）
Objectives of the first Japan National Dialogue
The following are the primary objectives of the Japan National Dialogue on R2P and Atrocities Prevention:
- To search for a common ground to revitalize and develop R2P research and discussion in the Japanese context;
- To determine factors that are causing stagnation in R2P research and discussion in Japan;
- To review Japanese praxis through R2P lens and reconsider the relation between Japan and R2P from the past to the present;
- To discuss challenges and roles, as well as practical solutions for Japan to implement R2P in the present and future; and
- To disseminate outcomes of the national dialogue and up-to-date knowledge to the public, in order to promote understanding and nation-wide discussion on R2P.
Background
Since the concept of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) was coined 20 years ago, understanding and discussion of the concept has advanced to a certain degree in the international realm. Japan, however, has fallen far behind in its understanding and discussion. A reason for this scenario in Japan would reside in that R2P has been in general perceived as synonymous with forcible military intervention. This perception has led to the policy to strictly separate R2P from a resembling concept, Human Security (HS), and to put much more value on HS than R2P.
However, R2P-related projects focused on ‘atrocity prevention’, rather than forcible intervention, have become more widespread in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere. There seem to be numerous parallels between the atrocity prevention efforts and those of the HS. Furthermore, reference to R2P in UN PKO and other practice is increasing; therefore, even if the Japanese have not explicitly mentioned to R2P, Japan is and will be engaged in R2P-related practices. In 2015, Japan appointed officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as ‘R2P focal point’ and joined the global network of R2P Focal Points of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P).
Based on this course and serious humanitarian crises enduring around the world, Japan should reconsider its approach to R2P in the present and future. Taking R2P seriously, vitalising discussion, and deepening our understanding of R2P are all important challenges faced by us.
【Third Japan National Dialogue】
Date: 1 March 2024
Venue: Sophia University & Zoom (Hybrid)
Agenda: 1. Crises in Myanmar
2. Future of the Responsibility to Protect
【Second Japan National Dialogue】
Date: 17 February 2023
Venue: Sophia University & Zoom (Hybrid)
Agenda: 1. Approaches of Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Assistance
2. R2P and the Role of Japan in Addressing the Myanmar Crisis
Summary Report
【First Japan National Dialogue】
Date: 18 February 2022
Venue: Online
Agenda:
1. Vitalizing R2P in Japanese Context:
Reconsideration of the ambivalent relation between R2P and Human Security
2. Implementing R2P in Japanese way:
Reconsideration of Japanese praxis and role between the past and the future
Summary Report
Japan National Dialogue on R2P and Atrocities Prevention は上智大学学術研究特別推進費 2021～2023年度 の助成の下で実施しました。改めて、心より感謝申し上げます。
The R2P Network of Japan 