ビザなしパスポートの利点と外交上の権謀術数　　　　　　　　　　　　気ままなリライト119

最強パスポート、日本が返り咲き - 日本経済新聞

While global mobility has been on an upward trend, with  growing openness observed among nations, this trend has been shadowed by an expanding divide in the power wielded by different passports, which in turn fuels the deepening chasm of economic inequality and wealth disparity. The 2024 Henley Passport Index assessing visa-free access to 227 nations, based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), painted a vivid picture of this imbalance. Citizens of the top six countries enjoy a substantial privilege, with the liberty to travel visa-free to as many as 194 destinations. In stark contrast, those from countries ranking lowest on the index, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, are starkly limited in their global reach. With visa-free access to merely 29, 30, and 31 countries respectively, their opportunities for global economic engagement are significantly curtailed.

The value of a passport extends beyond mere travel convenience. It's a gateway to extensive economic liberty. The strength of a passport reflects its holder's ability to tap into a significant portion of the world’s GDP visa-free. At the pinnacle of this power spectrum are France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and Singapore. Citizens of those nations are granted visa-free entry to a record-breaking number of countries in the history of the 19-year-old Henley Passport Index. Hot on their heels are Finland, Sweden, and South Korea, each offering hassle-free access to 193 nations. For instance, passports providing visa-free access to 194 countries empower citizens from the top six nations to engage freely with economies that cumulatively represent an astounding 98% of the global GDP, bypassing the complexities of visa procedures.

The power of a nation's passport, determined by the breadth of visa-free travel it affords its citizens, transcends mere ease of movement and economic gains. It mirrors robust diplomatic ties and functions as a pivotal instrument in building alliances, forging trade agreements, and engaging in global coalitions, thereby bolstering the nation's sway on the international stage. Visa-free privileges not only open doors to cultural exchanges and educational ventures but also cultivate bonds of understanding and goodwill. Moreover, a robust passport stands as a symbol of national pride, casting a favorable light on the country's global image and identity

While a powerful passport signifies international esteem, a nation's stance on visa-free access is intricately tied to its diplomatic strategies and political ambitions. Each country strategically calibrates its diplomatic outreach and political maneuvers, often placing national interests above the benefits of visa-free mobility. Countries strategically deploy visa regulations as instruments to forge and fortify alliances. The offer or acceptance of visa-free entry is not merely a convenience but a deliberate gesture of goodwill, meant to strengthen diplomatic relations and economic partnerships. Such arrangements are also pivotal in wider diplomatic negotiations, serving as leverage in discussions related to trade, defense, or other key international treaties. Occasionally, visa policies are revised in reaction to geopolitical tensions. A nation might impose visa requirements as a method of expressing discontent or exerting pressure in response to the actions of another nation.

Compared with the passports of the US and the UK, Japan's passport holds greater strength, allowing its bearers to travel to a larger number of countries either without a visa or with visa upon arrival. This enhanced accessibility is a reflection of Japan's 'good Samaritan' foreign policy, which favors a non-confrontational and cooperative stance over direct engagement in military conflicts or the provocation of  regional skirmishes for selfish motives. This 'herbivore-like' posture, rooted in Japan's pacifist principles, positions the country as a trustworthy and non-threatening ally in the global arena, attracting numerous visa-free agreements. Although this diplomatic approach garners widespread admiration, it is occasionally undervalued by countries with a more assertive, 'carnivore-like' stance. In some instances, Japan succumbs to international pressure to uphold its amiable image, compellingly assuming the role of an international cash dispenser.