In response to a variety of threats to international peace and security, Japan last year carried out foreign policies characterized by top-level initiatives, according to the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic blue book for 1999 released Friday.
The ministry's annual report on Japan's foreign policy and overseas activities describes Japanese diplomacy in the past year as "comprehensive and unique" in dealing with a variety of issues such as nuclear nonproliferation, missiles, new types of economic crises and preventive steps for armed conflicts.
Summarizing world events that occurred last year and foreseeing a new trend toward the 21st century, the report addresses concern that the "menace to the world is increasingly diversified."