Development of the Outcomes of the "Justice Affairs Diplomacy" Ministerial Forum: Initiatives to Further Promote "Justice Affairs Diplomacy"

The Ministry of Justice of Japan (MOJ) invited the justice ministers and attorneys general of the ASEAN and G7 Member States to the "Justice Affairs Diplomacy" Ministerial Forum in Tokyo on July 6-7, 2023. The Forum held as part of its "justice affairs diplomacy" policy which promotes values such as the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights throughout the international community. And the Forum consisted of three ministerial-level meetings: the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers, the G7 Justice Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers' Interface. This article presents the follow-up initiatives of these meetings.

Anti-Corruption Task Force for Ukraine

The G7 Justice Ministers' Meeting agreed to establish the Anti-Corruption Task Force for Ukraine (ACT for Ukraine), based on Japan's proposal.

Supporting Ukraine in its strengthening of anti-corruption measures is an extremely important issue that contributes not only to ensuring fair and equitable use of reconstruction resources and building a better country, but also the country's accession to the EU. Therefore, it's a matter of vital interest to both Ukraine and the G7, including Japan.

The Task Force, with the Government of Japan serving as the Secretariat, will support Ukraine's reconstruction by bringing together the wealth of knowledge of experts from the G7 and international organizations.

As part of these efforts, the MOJ held the First Expert Meeting of the Anti-Corruption Task Force for Ukraine (ACT for Ukraine) in Tokyo on December 5-6, 2023.

Five experts from five Ukrainian government agencies involved in the country's fight against corruption (the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Prosecutor General's office, National Anti-Corruption Bureau, Public Prosecution and Representation in Court of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, and the High Anti-Corruption Court) came to Japan to participate in the meeting, which was also attended by many officials from the justice ministries of the G7 countries, anti-corruption experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and others (including online participants).

Experts from the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), the International Cooperation Department (ICD) of the Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also attended the meeting and contributed the extensive expertise they have accumulated over many years of providing assistance for anti-corruption measures and legal technical assistance.

At the First Expert Meeting, the participants held discussions seeking to confirm the future course of action of the Task Force and understand the current situation and problems of corruption in Ukrainian society. The Ukrainian representatives outlined the current status of anti-corruption measures and presented their needs for assistance. Participants also shared their awareness of anti-corruption initiatives and assistance provided by various countries and organizations.

To further flesh out support for Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts in the future, the MOJ held the second expert meeting on the 5th March of this year(2024)and will hold the third expert meeting around November. Going forward, the Government of Japan will effectively support Ukraine's anti-corruption measures as taking a leadership role at the meetings, and demonstrate its presence in the international community.

ASEAN G7 Next Leaders' Forum

The ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers' Interface, the first-ever occasion to bring together ASEAN and the G7 members in the field of law and justice, was held at the initiative of Japan, the only Asian member of the G7. The Interface reaffirmed the long-term continuation of the ASEAN-G7 dialogue to deepen mutual understanding and decided to establish the ASEAN G7 Next Leaders' Forum, as proposed by the Government of Japan.

The goal of this forum is to promote long-term mutual understanding and foster trust between ASEAN and the G7 countries in the future. These objectives will be achieved by promoting discussion among young government officials from the justice ministries of ASEAN and the G7 countries on common issues in the field of law and justice, transcending national borders and differences in culture and areas of expertise, and through visits to legal affairs-related facilities of the Government of Japan. In addition, a network of Forum alumni will be established to facilitate networking among ASEAN and the G7 across generations.

The First Forum will be held in person in Tokyo in July 2024.