Japan in Southeast Asia : countering China's growing influence

Southeast Asia has long been a foreign policy priority for Japan, but Tokyo has intensified its engagement - both with the ASEAN Commu­nity as a whole and with individual member states - since 2012. Japan views China’s growing influence in Southeast Asia as a major foreign policy challenge and is seeking to prevent the emergence of a hierarchical order centred around China. It has economic as well as foreign and security policy interests in the region. Tokyo’s engagement in Southeast Asia aims to uphold the rules-based multi­lateral order in the region, underpinned by US involvement. Of par­ticular significance is Tokyo’s commitment to shared rules, principles and norms - for example, in the areas of free trade, infrastructure develop­ment and maritime security. Japan’s approach to Southeast Asia since 2012 has been characterised by both continuity and change. Unlike in the past, Japan is now seeking more comprehensive security cooperation with the region, including through dialogues, military exercises and capacity building programmes. ASEAN is important for Japan as the linchpin of regional cooperation. Tokyo supports the institutional development of the Community and helps reduce socio-economic differences between individual member states. Japan is intensifying its relations both with countries that are more critical of China - such as the Philippines - and with those considered more aligned with China - such as Cambodia. This approach extends to security policy. By offering to cooperate, Japan provides Southeast Asian countries with alternatives to Chinese initiatives and thereby prevents China from monopolising the region. apan and Europe are both interested in a stable, multilateral order in Southeast Asia. The two sides should therefore step up their engagement with the region and leverage their influence over regional geopolitical dynamics through complementary or joint initiatives.