Bridging the Oceans #13: Japan’s Engagement with Southeast Asia

<p><em>Originally published 14 April 2021</em></p> <p>This week, Veerle is joined by Dr Saya Kiba, Associate Professor at Komatsu University in Japan, to discuss Japan’s security and political engagement in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the Philippines.</p> <p>Japan is a long-standing dialogue partner of ASEAN and has deep ties with its member states. Tokyo has emphasised ASEAN centrality as a key principle within its Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, and an effective engagement with the grouping is seen as an important component of how Japan seeks to achieve its objectives in the region.</p> <p>This episode highlights the different forms of interaction undertaken by Japan in Southeast Asia – particularly with the Philippines – and discusses the utility of non-military engagement for fostering greater cooperation. Dr Kiba also outlines the threat perceptions and security needs of the Philippines as well as the role of extra-regional actors in the Indo-Pacific.</p>