On Aug. 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) put together its budgetary request for fiscal 2017. MOFA’s budget request totals 772 billion yen, an increase of 8.3% from the initial budget for fiscal 2016. Of that figure, the ministry has requested 490.3 billion yen for ODA, up 12.9% from the initial budget for FY2016. It plans to strengthen support for infrastructure exports to Asian and African countries through ODA as well as counterterrorism.

MOFA is seeking to establish a permanent Japanese mission to the African Union. It plans to establish embassies in Belarus, Cyprus, Eritrea, Seychelles and Vanuatu. China has established embassies in those five countries. Japan plans to counterbalance Chinese influence there.

MOFA has included also budget for strengthening safety measures for Japanese schools overseas against increasing terrorist attacks, as well as for reinforcing security of diplomatic establishments abroad. In connection with Japan-Russia relations, the ministry plans to hold seminars in Russia for private companies.