Amy King chairs the ‘Foreign Policy and Politics’ panel at the ANU Japan Update 2023
On the 6th of September 2023, Amy King chaired a panel discussion on Japanese foreign and security policy with Yoshihide Soeya (Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Keio University), Mie Oba (Professor of International Relations, Kanagawa University) and Michael J. Green (CEO of the US Studies Centre, University of Sydney), as part of the Australian National University’s 2023 Japan Update.
Soeya argued that although Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy represents a major paradigm shift in terms of Japan’s prioritisation of self-defence and deterrence, there has been a conspicuous absence of public debate on this strategy within Japan. Drawing on his work co-convening the recent Asia’s Future at a Crossroads report, Soeya outlined the necessity for greater debate, particularly given the risks posed in an era of great power rivalry. He argued that Japan needs to build upon its strategy of deterrence by working with Australia, South Korea and others in the ‘squeezed middle’ to coordinate and promote ‘effective cooperation’ between the US and China.
In a year that marks the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN relations, Oba explored the origins and evolution of Japan’s relationship with ASEAN, arguing that both now face common challenges, including the escalation of great power rivalry between the United States and China. Yet while Japan has taken a more proactive role in developing defence and security cooperation with ASEAN countries, Oba argued that Japan has also taken care to avoid ‘pulling’ ASEAN to its side in this rivalry, instead preferring to negotiate with ASEAN countries on specific issues.
Green regarded the past year as ‘the year of implementation’ of a strategy first formulated by the late Shinzo Abe. Green also suggested that Japan’s strategy is currently the ‘most influential in the world’, citing countries such as Australia, Canada, India, South Korea, the UK and the US, whose security strategies and responses to economic dependence on China have been highly informed by Japan’s own thinking.
Thanks to the Australia-Japan Research Centre and the Japan Institute at ANU for their efforts in bringing together this terrific panel of experts.
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