Japan’s Leadership in Human Security During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Many developing countries made enormous efforts in the battle against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) during the early phase of the pandemic, but, as the threat of infection persists over the long term, these countries have had to face an increasingly serious situation. An examination of the United States, Europe, China, and other countries and regions shows that a crisis in global health governance has occurred. Japan has, so far, been successful in limiting the number of deaths. The organizations and human resources in developing countries that Japan has long supported are active as central hubs that are attempting to combat COVID-19. This demonstrates the effectiveness of Japan’s development cooperation, based on the principles of Human Security, which are designed to support self-reliance of developing countries. However, this support remains small scale and lacks a comprehensive strategy. Japan should demonstrate its leadership by markedly increasing its international cooperation efforts in the health sector. Japan values both freedom and democracy, cooperates with a variety of actors around the world who wish to see these Human Security principles universally implemented, and is thus able to contribute to the construction of a “new world” that protects people’s lives, livelihoods, and dignity from a wide range of threats.