Japan's Peace-Building in Mindanao: Partnering Malaysia, the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

摘要

Tokyo claims that peace-building has become a key pillar in its foreign policy. A litmus test of this rhetoric is Japan's peace-building efforts in conflict-ridden Mindanao. Japan's partnership with Malaysia, Libya and Brunei (all Organization of Islamic Conference members) to address the conflict between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is significant because it is a diplomatic milestone beyond the frameworks of the US - Japan Alliance and the United Nations. If Japan were to succeed in Mindanao, peace-building might well be a promising 'third path' in its international relations—beyond an inward-looking 'one-country' pacifism or over-dependence on its US ally for its foreign policy direction. Interviews with serving diplomats and other key players are used to offer additional insight.