Leaders attend a dinner as the G7 Summit opens in Évian, eastern France, on June 15. (©Kyodo)
このページを で読む
The Iran war launched by the United States at the end of February is finally moving toward peace, with both sides agreeing to end hostilities and begin the process of reconciliation. It is still early days, but any move toward peace is welcome.
However, even if Washington and Tehran sign a formal peace agreement, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring prewar conditions will not be easy.
It goes without saying that the Iran war—which triggered a host of economic problems, including higher oil prices—was a major topic at the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Évian, eastern France. The message that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons was undoubtedly conveyed.
Yet for the international community, the greater challenge today may be China, which already possesses nuclear weapons and is pursuing an increasingly assertive and hegemonic foreign policy.
Taiwan and the Challenge of China
China has weaponized its economy by restricting exports of critical minerals, including rare earths, while rapidly expanding its military capabilities, not least its nuclear arsenal.
Backed by overwhelming military power, Beijing has made clear that it does not rule out the use of force to achieve unification with Taiwan. What would happen if China, like Russia before its invasion of Ukraine, were to make a catastrophic miscalculation over Taiwan?
Last week, I attended an international symposium on Japan-Taiwan relations in Tokyo organized by the Abe Shinzo Research Center at National Chengchi University in Taipei.
In his opening remarks, Representative Lee Yi-yang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan—the de facto Taiwanese ambassador to Japan—said, "It is often said that whoever controls Taiwan controls the world."
He noted that Taiwan accounts for more than 60% of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity and warned that a conflict involving Taiwan could reduce countries' GDP by an average of 8.7% in the first year alone. Deterring any attempt by China to unilaterally alter the status quo, he stressed, is therefore of paramount importance.
Armed conflict would inevitably result in the loss of countless lives and immense destruction of property. In a video message, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stressed that "strong Japan-Taiwan relations are a cornerstone of peace," repeatedly emphasizing that peace and stability must remain the highest priorities.
Yoshiko Sakurai, president of the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, argued that the Taiwan situation has reached a critical juncture. Japan, she said, must resist China's information warfare, encourage Taiwan, and do everything within its power to preserve peace and stability in the region.
Peace Requires Action
Yet peace and stability cannot be achieved simply by wishing for them. They require sustained efforts by governments, institutions, and citizens alike. The question is: what can each of us do to help make them a reality?
Since its founding in 2017, Japan Forward has sought to convey Japan's voice to the world. As part of that mission, it launched the Ignite initiative in June 2025 to amplify the perspectives of Japanese students and young people for a global audience. Over the past year, the project has published more than 50 contributions from young writers across Japan.
Investing in the Next Generation
One of Ignite's latest projects is a partnership with the TOMODACHI Initiative, a public-private program established in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake to foster the next generation of Japanese and American leaders. Through this collaboration, Japan Forward hopes to introduce the ideas and aspirations of promising young leaders to readers around the world.
Ignite has also featured essays by students who visited communities affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, offering fresh perspectives on disaster recovery and community resilience.
Young people will shape the future. At a time when conflict and war cast their shadows across the globe, their voices and ideas are more important than ever. By sharing those voices with an international audience, Japan Forward hopes to make a modest contribution to the pursuit of peace and stability.
As the Bible says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). The darker the times, the more brightly that light can shine. Japan must strive to serve as a cornerstone of peace and stability, not only for its own sake but for the broader international community. Guided by that belief, Japan Forward will continue to share a message of hope with the world.
Watch for the next issue on July 1.
Japan Forward is seeking partners to help amplify the voices of young people around the world through Ignite. For inquiries, please contact us at +81-3-3275-8511.
RELATED:
- Rethinking Social Problem-Solving: Lessons from TOMODACHI and Noto
- Disaster Recovery: Building Back Value for the Future
- Disaster Recovery: Learning from Listening to Those Involved
Author: Yasuo Naito, Editor in Chief
このページを で読む
