ISEAS Perspective 2024/54, 18 July 2024

INTRODUCTION

ASEAN and Japan celebrated five decades of partnership in a Commemorative Summit in December 2023,[1] with the theme “Trusted Partners”. This aptly encapsulated a relationship built on Japan’s respectful diplomacy and ASEAN’s preference for mutual respect and shared values. Amidst the diverse challenges and opportunities in the region, Japan’s role as a trusted partner remains pivotal in shaping regional partnerships across Southeast Asia. The establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between ASEAN and Japan in 2023[2] underscores this strategic role.

Among ASEAN’s dialogue partners, Japan has distinguished itself as a “courteous power”[3] that aligns well with the cultural norms and values of Southeast Asian countries. Beyond its status as one of the region’s top economic, security and diplomatic partners,[4]Japan has earned the reputation of being the most relied-upon partner in the region.

Japan’s reputation in the region was reaffirmed in the State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey,[5] where it not only maintained its position as the most trusted power but also emerged as the most strategically relevant middle power to ASEAN. While other middle powers such as Australia, the EU, India and the United Kingdom (UK) experienced a decrease in their perceived influence, Japan saw a doubling of its perceived political and strategic influence in Southeast Asia.

This Perspective delves into Japan’s status as a beacon of trust and growing influence in the broader regional multilateral framework. It is argued that Japan can leverage its stock of trust in Southeast Asia to play a bigger security role in the region. Japan’s enduring role as an all-weather friend to Southeast Asia[6] over the past five decades is reaffirmed in the survey.[7] The report continues to underscore the region’s confidence in Japan as the most trusted among five key powers, including the US, EU, China and India. When asked if Japan will “do the right thing” to contribute to global peace, security, prosperity and governance, the majority of respondents (58.9%) expressed confidence, a 4.4% increase from 2023.

Please open the link:   https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2024-54-japan-the-courteous-power-bares-some-teeth-for-regional-stability-by-william-choong-and-joanne-lin/

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA