In response to the increasingly complex global security environment and cut-throat geopolitical competition, the Japanese government advocates not only strengthening defence capabilities, but also promoting Indo-Pacific strategy with a long-term vision. This new Tokyo-driven motive has drawn deep attention from international public opinion.

Leaders of ASEAN member states and Japan at the 25th ASEAN - Japan Summit held in Cambodia (photo: tapchicongsan.org.vn)

After the end of World War II, Japan abandoned its broad-based strategic thinking and yielded up its regional leadership role. However, in 2007, the administration of late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific region; simultaneously, it strengthened bilateral relations with the US, India and Australia through joint military exercises, thereby initially forming today’s strategic context. By 2015, with amendments in its Constitution and the adoption of a new National Security Law, Japan gradually enhanced its military strength, as evidenced by the building of a more powerful and internationally-connected defence force. Accordingly, Japan can use its military power to support its allies in different situations relating to national interests without geographical limitations, or in other words, the country can deploy defence forces all over the world. Following the amendment of the Japanese Constitution, the United States has also provided Japan with strong military encouragement and support so that the latter could achieve a stronger strategic position at both regional and global levels. However, Tokyo also considers developing military potential to improve national defence capabilities without violating Article 9 of the Constitution (which prevents it from forming an army and declaring war to resolve disputes between countries).

Promoting the legacy of the previous administration

In the context of continuous conflicts around the world and growing escalation in tensions in the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea, the administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the Indo-Pacific strategy, a “new version” after the announcement of the National Security Strategy and National Defence Strategy. The new strategy for a free and open Indo-Pacific region is based on the previous administration's concept of this region, which centres on preserving peace and addressing global challenges through cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, connecting globally through many different platforms, as well as ensuring the safety of open waters and skies.

To this end, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledges that by 2030, the Japanese Government will have spent about $75 billion in the Indo-Pacific region through activities such as private investment, government aid, support and subsidies and Yen loans. These are Tokyo's efforts to tighten partnerships with countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. According to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, a free and open Indo-Pacific region is a long-term vision, with the aim of protecting the rule of law and freedom in the region. Tokyo also plans to increase its military budget from the current level of 1% (about 49 billion USD) to 2% of its GDP within the next 5 years. With this increase, Japan can be in the ranking of five nations with the world’s top defence spending (currently Japan ranks the eighth). An increase in military spending will not only help Japan speed up the development of its defence forces but also bring the country closer to the military standards of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).When it comes to Japan's strategies, some experts say that, in the context of increasing regional tensions and an “imminent” threat of missile attacks on Japan, Tokyo’s increased improvement of its existing defence system and alliance with the US during this period is a matter of supreme importance, especially for such a country as Japan that depends on the Pentagon’s intelligence information and early warning capabilities. In fact, in early 2024, Japan signed an agreement to purchase 400 Tomahawk missiles from the US. Tokyo also aims to adjust its ammunition reserves through the construction of 70 ammunition depots in the next five years and 130 ammunition depots by 2035. In addition, the country also revises three principles for transferring military equipment and technology to other countries, which marks the beginning of Japan's increasing role in regional security.

According to experts, recently, Tokyo and Washington have stepped up their military cooperation; notably, Japan has planned to equip its destroyers with Tomahawk missiles (produced by Lockheed Martin, an American corporation). In return, the US is also seeking to enhance interoperability with the Japanese Self-Defence Forces in a bid to bolster deterrence power in the Indo-Pacific region. In particular, recently, Japan has "not hesitated" to demonstrate its important strategic role when affirming and committing to join forces with the US to protect the free and open Indo-Pacific region, with the ambition to protect the disrupted international order.

Expanding Indo-Pacific vision

Japan has a fairly comprehensive vision of the Indo-Pacific, defining this as a large area stretching all the way from Asia-Pacific through the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and Africa, which is home to more than half of the world's population. Japan's Indo-Pacific region is different compared to the map of the Indo-Pacific in the Blue Book of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). What is interesting is that over the years, Japan's vision of the Indo-Pacific region has continuously expanded to the East via its flexible and developed approach.

During his first term (2006 - 2007), late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promoted the Indo-Pacific vision which centred on political values. However, in the following term (2012 - 2020), his approach to this region shifted towards international rules, norms and standards. For now, the important goal of the Indo-Pacific strategy is to promote a rules-based order, strengthen existing rules and introduce new ones with a view to forming a stable and secure international order – the cornerstone of regional security and prosperous development. The ultimate goal is to increase connectivity through funding and infrastructure development across the region. This is considered a strategy to compete with China's "Belt and Road" initiative.

To promote the Strategy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force focuses on improving its operational capabilities at sea, increasing multilateral exercises to improve tactical capabilities as well as cooperating with foreign forces to support maritime freedom and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Tokyo also helps countries in Southeast Asia train maritime law enforcement forces, transfers patrol boats and maritime safety equipment to the Philippines, sends experts to help Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as assists Djibouti and Sri Lanka in maritime security capacity, etc. In addition, Japan is also committed to actively participating in trilateral strategic dialogue with Australia and the US, participating in trios, including Japan - US - India and Japan - India - Australia.

In the alliance relations between Japan and the US, the two sides agree to establish the US-Japan Unified Command; simultaneously, Japan allows the US to set up offices in the country to conduct military activities in the region. The two sides also approve of cooperation in developing and producing missiles and advanced technologies in Japan as well as strengthen defence industrial complex cooperation and exports to the third party. In addition, Japan also promotes cooperation with AUKUS (USA - UK - Australia) in key capacity improvement projects, such as developing artificial intelligence capabilities, unmanned warships and supersonic missiles. The country's promotion of cooperation with AUKUS has raised speculations that Tokyo will become part of this alliance in the future. In 2023, Japan along with the US and South Korea strengthened strategic coordination to bring trilateral security cooperation to a new level. The joint statement issued by the leaders of the three countries emphasised that a free and open Indo-Pacific region would be a common goal. Most recently, on 6 June 2024, the three countries also held a joint exercise for their coast guard forces. Last April, within the framework of the Trilateral Summit among the US, Japan and the Philippines, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that multi-layer cooperation between allies and like-minded countries marks the formation of a new cooperation mechanism, and Japan’s participation is essential. This is aimed at maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Observers believe that the development of the trilateral alliance of the US - Japan – the Philippines will affect the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), because acting in the capacity as the heart of the sub-multilateral system, ASEAN is an area where competition for influence is increasingly intense between major powers. The ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Expert Council emphasises that ASEAN has developed from a region that mainly receives Japanese aid into a developing and highly influential partner.

In addition to ASEAN, Japan also entices some European countries to promote its Strategy; more specifically, it has promoted security cooperation with the UK, France and Germany - the "2 + 2" dialogue, and brought such multilateral groups as APEC and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) into the free and open Indo-Pacific strategy. Recently, Japan has continued to expand cooperative relations to Southern Hemisphere countries with the visits of Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Nepal (from 26 April to 5 May 2024). This is the first time a Japanese foreign minister has visited the island nation of Madagascar since its independence (1960). During the visit, Ms Kamikawa emphasised that Japan needs to promote its cooperation with Southern Hemisphere countries (an increasingly strong presence in the international arena) and build strategic trust with African and South Asian countries for mutual prosperous development and the realisation of  a free and open Indo-Pacific region amidst international deep division and conflict.

International scholars believe that Japan has been quite successfully promoting the free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, especially achieving a diplomatic vision and taking on a leading role in shaping the perceptions and perspectives of partners, which also helps enhance its regional and global position.

LAM PHUONG – VIET TAN