Japan to Host the “Justice Affairs Diplomacy” Ministerial Forum

The Ministry of Justice of Japan will invite the Justice Ministers and Attorneys General of the ASEAN and G7 Member States to the “Justice Affairs Diplomacy” Ministerial Forum, which will take place on July 6 and 7, 2023, at Hotel New Otani (Tokyo). This article provides an overview of the Forum, which is being held to strengthen cooperation among the participating countries in the field of law and justice. The Forum also represents an opportunity to uphold and promote fundamental values such as the rule of law.

Significance and background of the Forum

“Justice Affairs Diplomacy” is an initiative that aims to promote fundamental values such as the rule of law throughout the international community. Over the years, the Ministry of Justice of Japan has contributed to the efforts of many countries to promote and uphold the rule of law by providing legal technical assistance. Sharing fundamental values has been ever more important in recent years, particularly in the wake of international situations such as the war of aggression against Ukraine. In addition, 2023 is the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and the year in which Japan assumes the G7 Presidency. Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Justice of Japan decided to hold the “Justice Affairs Diplomacy” Ministerial Forum. The Forum will consist of three meetings: the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers, the G7 Justice Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface. The Forum will seek to strengthen cooperation among the ASEAN and G7 countries based on the rule of law and to further promote Justice Affairs Diplomacy.

ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers (AJSMJ)—July 6, 2023

At the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers (AJSMJ), the Ministry of Justice of Japan will invite the Justice Ministers and Attorneys General of the ASEAN Member States to discuss cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in the field of law and justice and define a medium- to long-term vision on the issue. Furthermore, the participants will aim to uphold and promote fundamental values such as the rule of law and respect for human rights. The AJSMJ is also expected to be effective in advancing the amicable relationship between ASEAN and Japan to the next phase of equal partnership.*

G7 Justice Ministers’ Meeting—Afternoon of July 7, 2023

Justice Ministers and Attorneys General of the G7 countries and the EU Commissioner for Justice will attend this meeting to discuss under three discussion themes: Assist Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts in the field of law and justice; Build cooperation and coordination among the G7 to promote the rule of law; and Connect the G7 and Indo-Pacific (including ASEAN) in the field of law and justice. The participants are expected to adopt the G7 Justice Ministers’ Communiqué (The Tokyo Declaration) and deliver a strong message of unity and cooperation based on the rule of law.

ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface—Morning of July 7, 2023

Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the visit to Japan by Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General of ASEAN and G7 Member States, the Ministry of Justice of Japan plans to bring them together by convening the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface. The event will aim to strengthen further cooperation among ASEAN and the G7, based on shared fundamental values such as the rule of law.

Special events and exhibitions

The Ministry of Justice of Japan will hold special events and exhibitions in conjunction with the “Justice Affairs Diplomacy” Ministerial Forum. These events and exhibitions will be open to public participation, with advance registration required. Information about the programmes of the special events and exhibitions and the advance registration process is available on the following webpages and the Forum’s official Twitter feed.

» Program information
» Registration for participation
» Official Twitter feed (ASEAN-Japan & G7 Justice Ministers 2023)

* Partnerships and cooperation Japan has conducted while maintaining an equal relationship with ASEAN as a partner that shares fundamental values such as the rule of law.