Political and economic stability in the Middle East is vital to ensure Japan's energy security and to reduce risks in the global economic system. In the interests of this region's mid- and long-term political stability, it is clearly desirable for "democratization" in the region to take root deeply and widely. The top priority of Japan's cultural diplomacy in the Middle East, therefore, must be to promote democratization by both direct and indirect means.

In approaching this task, however, Japan must recognize that democratization in the Middle East does not simply mean American- or Western-style democratization characterized by the introduction of electoral systems, participation in government by women and ethnic minorities, and secularization through the separation of politics and religion. Japan must be particularly wary of viewing the secularization of politics in the Islamic world as the goal of democratization.

To be sure, coloring politically motivated activities with a religious tinge in order to make the activities appear religious in nature is liable to cause misunderstandings of the religion in question and to warp the democratic political process. It is, therefore, preferable to avoid linking religion with politics in this way.