A multiparty group of Japanese Diet members held the inaugural meeting of a new “Caucus for Universal Values in the Indo-Pacific” on May 15, 2025. The caucus will seek to strengthen Japan’s support for universal values and democratic governance in the region as a key element of its foreign policy. The caucus is chaired by Hon. Gen Nakatani (Liberal Democratic Party), who also serves as Japan’s Minister of Defense, with Hon. Shu Sakurai (Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan) serving as its Executive Secretary, both of whom joined JCIE’s Diet delegation to Indonesia in 2024. 

The launch event was attended by approximately 40 Diet members and staff. Opening remarks were provided by Mr. Nakatani and Mr. Sakurai, followed by presentations from Ambassador Yukio Takasu, Chair of JCIE’s Democracy for the Future Project, and Professor Gerald Curtis, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University and JCIE USA’s Founding Member and Distinguished Senior Fellow.

The presentations covered the role that Japan might play in the region when it comes to strategies to support universal values in its foreign policy,  including through burden-sharing to reduce dependence on the United-States. They also covered the challenges of domestic political issues, including rising populism, wealth inequality, and public discontent with political leadership.

The launch of the caucus represents a significant milestone in JCIE’s efforts to engage Japanese Diet members on the importance of supporting democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region as part of our Democracy for the Future Program. In response, a bipartisan group of members in the US House of Representatives also introduced a resolution on August 15 to congratulate the launch of the caucus and the efforts of JCIE and its partners. 

Against the backdrop of democratic backsliding across the region, the caucus will provide an important framework for interparliamentary cooperation and vehicle for Japan to exercise its leadership.