Abstract
Currently, Japan is keen to reinforce security cooperation with ASEAN and its approach is both multi-layered and multi-dimensional, with its bilateral/multilateral activities becoming diverse. Japan’s objectives are largely twofold: first, the country pursues a more “comprehensive” partnership with ASEAN by forging security ties, in addition to long-held economic and political cooperation; and second, China’s growing assertiveness in the East and South China Seas has promoted Japan to cooperate with ASEAN to jointly address it. In discussing Japan’s strategic efforts to strengthen and support ASEAN-centered multilateralism, the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus should be referred to first. Japan’s activeness in the ADMM-Plus has been demonstrated by its consecutive EWG co-chairmanships. Capacity building assistance led by Japan’s Ministry of Defense is considered to be one of the important strategic options for the Japanese Government to reinforce ties with ASEAN. Moreover, Tokyo’s basic approach in multilateral arenas is to put maritime security on the agenda, reiterating the importance of resolving territorial disputes in a peaceful manner and securing freedom of navigation based on the rule of law. Compared to activities in multilateral dialogues, Japan’s bilateral support to ASEAN countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam focuses more on the strengthening of their coastal defense capabilities.
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