Message from Ambassador (Japan’s Security Environment)
2026/4/22
Talofa lava! Hello, everyone!
I am Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who take time to read these essays.
In my previous essay, I shared my understanding of the unique security environment in which the people of Samoa enjoy “peace” in the current world.
In contrast, however, Japan, is now facing a very challenging security reality. While this might be somewhat difficult for you here to imagine, I would like to explain our situation a little, to help you understand our defense and security policy.
So, what exactly are security situations surrounding Japan?
Japan, like Samoa, is an island nation. However, our islands are situated closer to the edge of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by a complex mix of nations.
These are some of the security risks emerging from our neighboring countries.
Next to us toward the Southwest, there is a big country with a large population that has been rapidly increasing its military capabilities in recent years. Their powerful military is expanding its operational scope and their activities in the sea and air have become frequent, often approaching very close to Japan's territory. This poses a significant concern for our security, especially in the Southwestern islands.
Further to the north, on a nearby Peninsula, is a country under dictatorship which repeatedly test-launches missiles on to the sea close to us and continues to develop nuclear weapons. Their actions are unpredictable and represent a very serious threat to the Japanese people.
Moreover, a nation to our north has also been increasing its military activities, and currently engaged with war, with its bordering state to the West.
The military activities of these states, which all have nuclear weapons, constantly pose substantial security risks to our country, which may have direct impact on our daily lives.
And in the modern era, threats are no longer limited to military power at sea or in the air.
Invisible cyberattacks can cause significant damage to national infrastructure, businesses, and personal information.
Technologies utilizing outer space and electromagnetic waves are also becoming deeply intertwined with national security.
Furthermore, the government needs to secure stable supply of food and energy, for the people all the time. Such effort has come to form an integral part of our national security policy.
This is the reality of Japan today: surrounded by various kinds of threats. We, the Japanese people, sincerely desire peace and absolutely do not wish for conflict. However, we strongly feel that should the lives and property of our citizens ever be endangered, we must have the "preparedness" to protect our nation and its people.
That is precisely why we are now advancing discussions to strengthen our defense capabilities, in contrast to your choice not to maintain an army. We are carefully considering increasing our defense budget and acquiring capabilities to respond to the threats of this new era. We believe this is by no means to attack anyone, but rather a difficult yet unavoidable choice to protect our own peace and ensure that tragic history is never repeated.
Just as you in Samoa foster peace with the spirit of "Fa'a Samoa," we in Japan, though in a different form, are also striving to contribute to our own peace and to global stability. I sincerely respect your peaceful way of life, and I hope that you can understand, even a little, the situation in which Japan finds itself.
I sincerely hope that the friendship between Japan and Samoa will continue to expand like the Pacific Ocean and endure for generations to come.
Fa'afetai tele lava. Thank you very much.
I am Ryotaro Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who take time to read these essays.
In my previous essay, I shared my understanding of the unique security environment in which the people of Samoa enjoy “peace” in the current world.
In contrast, however, Japan, is now facing a very challenging security reality. While this might be somewhat difficult for you here to imagine, I would like to explain our situation a little, to help you understand our defense and security policy.
So, what exactly are security situations surrounding Japan?
Japan, like Samoa, is an island nation. However, our islands are situated closer to the edge of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by a complex mix of nations.
These are some of the security risks emerging from our neighboring countries.
Next to us toward the Southwest, there is a big country with a large population that has been rapidly increasing its military capabilities in recent years. Their powerful military is expanding its operational scope and their activities in the sea and air have become frequent, often approaching very close to Japan's territory. This poses a significant concern for our security, especially in the Southwestern islands.
Further to the north, on a nearby Peninsula, is a country under dictatorship which repeatedly test-launches missiles on to the sea close to us and continues to develop nuclear weapons. Their actions are unpredictable and represent a very serious threat to the Japanese people.
Moreover, a nation to our north has also been increasing its military activities, and currently engaged with war, with its bordering state to the West.
The military activities of these states, which all have nuclear weapons, constantly pose substantial security risks to our country, which may have direct impact on our daily lives.
And in the modern era, threats are no longer limited to military power at sea or in the air.
Invisible cyberattacks can cause significant damage to national infrastructure, businesses, and personal information.
Technologies utilizing outer space and electromagnetic waves are also becoming deeply intertwined with national security.
Furthermore, the government needs to secure stable supply of food and energy, for the people all the time. Such effort has come to form an integral part of our national security policy.
This is the reality of Japan today: surrounded by various kinds of threats. We, the Japanese people, sincerely desire peace and absolutely do not wish for conflict. However, we strongly feel that should the lives and property of our citizens ever be endangered, we must have the "preparedness" to protect our nation and its people.
That is precisely why we are now advancing discussions to strengthen our defense capabilities, in contrast to your choice not to maintain an army. We are carefully considering increasing our defense budget and acquiring capabilities to respond to the threats of this new era. We believe this is by no means to attack anyone, but rather a difficult yet unavoidable choice to protect our own peace and ensure that tragic history is never repeated.
Just as you in Samoa foster peace with the spirit of "Fa'a Samoa," we in Japan, though in a different form, are also striving to contribute to our own peace and to global stability. I sincerely respect your peaceful way of life, and I hope that you can understand, even a little, the situation in which Japan finds itself.
I sincerely hope that the friendship between Japan and Samoa will continue to expand like the Pacific Ocean and endure for generations to come.
Fa'afetai tele lava. Thank you very much.