ARTICLES

18 Oct 2023

The Courteous Charmer: A Hard Look at Japan’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia

Indira Zahra Aridati

Indira Zahra Aridati examines the rise of Japanese soft power across Southeast Asia and its many facets.

6 Oct 2023

A New Chapter in ASEAN-Japan Relations

Kunihiko Hirabayashi

ASEANFocus is privileged to feature the Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, Dr Kunihiko Hirabayashi. He provides a perspective on the ASEAN-Japan relationship after 50 years, and how Japan intends to substantiate the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Japan

5 May 2023

Japan’s Role in Regional Security: Recalibration and Regional Reactions

Joseph Chinyong Liow|William Choong

Anti-militarist sentiments have been pervasive among ordinary Japanese since World War Two. But as the recent recalibration of Japan’s security and defence policy has shown, the country has not been stuck in the pacifist mould.

Japan Maritime Security

14 Apr 2023

Why ASEAN Appreciates Japan’s Nuanced Approach to Regional Order

Joanne Lin|William Choong

Japan’s foreign policy stance strikes the right tone in a region on alert for potential big power rivalry to worsen.

Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

7 Mar 2023

Japan’s Counter-Strike Capabilities: Southeast Asians Should be Circumspect

Yoichiro Sato

Japan is increasingly moving towards a more muscular defensive posture focused on ground attack capabilities. While these capabilities are aimed at deterring attacks on the Japanese home islands, they also have implications for Southeast Asia.

Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

16 Jan 2023

Japan’s Responses to Chinese Grey-Zone Tactics: Giving Southeast Asia A Leg-up

Yoichiro Sato

With some experience in managing Chinese assertiveness in the East China Sea, Japan is helping Southeast Asian countries manage Beijing’s actions in disputed maritime areas.

Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations Maritime Security

30 Nov 2022

Japan’s Counter-strike Missiles and Southeast Asia’s “Nuclear” Question

Yoichiro Sato

Japan is considering the deployment of non-nuclear counter-strike capabilities in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China. This might have a bearing on Southeast Asia.

Defence Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

25 Oct 2022

Cooperation, Challenges and Charms: The UNCLOS for Japan

Yurika Ishii

Japan has made solid contributions to the global rules-based order. Notwithstanding Japan’s efforts for international cooperation, challenges remain in implementing UNCLOS.

Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations UNCLOS Why UNCLOS Matters

26 Jul 2022

Shinzo Abe’s Legacy: The Centrality of Southeast Asia

David Arase

Shinzo Abe learned that Japan’s security did not lie in its military, but Japan’s good citizenship in a free-trading rules-based order. Southeast Asia was central to his pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN Indo-Pacific Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

24 Jun 2022

Bon Odori in Malaysia: Dance-off between Revivalism and Multiculturalism

Faris Ridzuan|Sharifah Afra Alatas

The controversy caused by warnings to Malaysia’s Muslims not to participate in a Japanese-inspired summer festival raises important questions about how Malaysia can sustain its multicultural character against the rising tide of Islamisation.

Islam Japan Malaysia