The government is committed to promoting a free and open international order in the Arctic, grounded in the rule of law, to facilitate the development of natural resources and the expansion of maritime trade. To achieve this, it is intensifying diplomatic efforts to bolster partnerships with the United States and Nordic countries.

In a recent interview, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa emphasised Japan's stance: the country will not accept exclusionary navigation rules that conflict with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, implying that Russia and China may dominantly use natural resources in the Arctic.

According to The Japan Times, as global warming reduces Arctic sea ice, it allows Russia to increase its military presence through developing footholds, expanding cargo transport, and exploring resources. However, it is worth noting that global warming makes navigation in the Arctic Ocean only seemingly easy, while ice conditions have actually become more difficult for Russia.

Another issue for Japan in the Arctic is that China is actively investing in infrastructure through the Ice Silk Road project in collaboration with Russia, a component of its Belt and Road Initiative.

To address the situation in the region, Japan has been working to strengthen its ties with Nordic countries and other concerned nations. During her visit to Finland in January, Foreign Minister Kamikawa unveiled Japan's Nordic Diplomacy Initiative, aimed at boosting cooperation with five Northern European countries.

The initiative also proposes international study using Mirai II — which the Arctic Century recently wrote about — Japan's first Arctic research ship with icebreaking capabilities, and pledges the East Asian country's continued contribution to sustainable development of the region through the Arctic Council, comprising the five Nordic countries of Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden plus Canada, Russia and the United States.

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