At the annual G-7 summit this week, Western leaders have to decide what vision of global leadership they want to project. Beyond showing unity in opposition to Russia’s war on Ukraine and China’s military and economic assertiveness, it’s unclear what the G-7 will say about resolving the issues currently plaguing non-Western states.
Earlier this year, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio visited five G-7 countries in a bid to expand security cooperation. Combined with new security frameworks, the visits collectively signal Tokyo’s commitment to becoming a stabilizing regional force and playing a more proactive role as a global power.
Japan and South Korea have one of the most difficult relationships between partners in the modern international system. But recent meeting between the South Korean President and the Japanese Prime Minister has raised hopes that the two countries may finally be about to open a new chapter in the relations. But as others have pointed out, their history is littered with similar "new starts." So, is this really different?
