Introduction The rapidly evolving international order—characterized by the war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, the intensifying Taiwan Strait crisis, and persistent North Korean threats—has highlighted the fragility of liberal democratic systems and the urgency of bolstering multilateral security cooperation. In this context, the trilateral security partnership among South Korea, the United States, and Japan has gained unprecedented strategic relevance. As Indo-Pacific geopolitics become increasingly complex, and as authoritarian powers assert their influence, a stronger and more structured trilateral alliance is imperative to maintain regional peace, deter aggression, and promote shared democratic values. I. The Strategic Foundation for Trilateral Security Cooperation The Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral relationship rests on a shared commitment to liberal democratic values and a rules-based international order. South Korea and Japan, as advanced democracies, have each made substantial contributions to global peace and development. Historically fraught relations between Seoul and Tokyo ... ... [Read more]

Japan, an island nation with the world’s sixth-largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), relies profoundly on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to protect its economic vitality, national security, and environmental integrity. MDA, the comprehensive understanding of activities within the maritime domain that could impact safety, security, economic stability, or environmental sustainability, is a strategic imperative for Japan. It involves monitoring maritime traffic, fishing, and illicit activities, while addressing multifaceted challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, maritime terrorism, marine pollution, and natural disasters like tsunamis. Japan’s holistic approach to MDA integrates strategic vision, operational efficiency, technological innovation, legal adherence, and geopolitical finesse, with international cooperation serving as a cornerstone to enhance maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The New National Security Strategy of Japan, introduced in 2022, underscores this proactive engagement, emphasizing cooperative security to address regional challenges. The U.S.-Japan alliance, a linchpin of ... ... [Read more]

In the first week of March 2025, I had the privilege of travelling to Japan for the second time, following my first visit in 2016. Returning to Japan was a great joy, as the country—renowned for its economic growth, rich culture, and long-standing ties with Cambodia—feels familiar to many Cambodians, myself included. The prospect of experiencing Japan’s vibrant cities, advanced infrastructure, and captivating tourist sites once again was truly exciting. However, a week-long visit felt far too short to fully appreciate everything Japan has to offer. This trip was exceptionally well-organised, providing me with valuable insights into various sectors, including public affairs, trade and investment, the role of ports in commerce, advancements in telecommunications technology, and the innovative use of carbon credits in agriculture. I also gained a deeper understanding of Japan’s media landscape, its strong support for demining in Cambodia through JICA, the ... ... [Read more]

Sri Lanka and Japan: The Organic relationship As I embarked on the fellowship program offered by Japanese government towards achieving the objective of developing multi layered network of Japan experts among international scholars, analysts, think tankers I felt privileged and humbled at the opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight into a nation I personally admire and see many linkages with my own country. Sri Lanka and Japan may not have long historic ties may not be in the same maritime neighborhood, we are connected by destiny as two nations that felt each other’s heartbeat and connected at moments when the whole world seems thinking otherwise. The global conditions in which Sri Lanka and Japan that connected in the aftermath of the Second World War is no more, both countries have evolved and transformed, unfortunately for Sri Lanka internal conflicts, political upheavals and economic crises ... ... [Read more]

1.0 Introduction Regional integration is the process of countries cooperating across borders for economic, infrastructural, and strategic gains is gaining momentum across Asia. Institutions like BIMSTEC, BBIN, and ASEAN are facilitating greater connectivity, enhanced trade, and collective resilience. Asia’s deepening ties are evident in FDI trends, with intraregional flows averaging 52% from 2013–2023, driven largely by services, which grew from 46% to 58% of FDI share in the past decade. [1] As Asia pivots toward digitalization and green transitions, strategic partnerships are reshaping investment priorities. In this evolving landscape, Japan has emerged as a key architect, contributing 30% of regional and 10% of global FDI outflows, with a strong 11% annual growth well above the regional 5% average. Through targeted ODA, quality infrastructure investment, and engagement in platforms like the Partnership for Quality Infrastructure (PQI) and Japan–Mekong Connectivity, Japan is shaping South Asia’s regional ... ... [Read more]

Japan occupies a prominent place in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem, with a large fleet of industrial robots. At the same time, the development of humanoid robots such as Pepper (SoftBank), designed to interact with human emotions, has marked the social appropriation of AI (Japan Society, 2019), while ASIMO (Honda) illustrates advanced mobility and domestic assistance capabilities.[1] Added to this are service robots, such as Toyota’s Human Support Robot, dedicated to the well-being of the elderly.[2] At the same time, Japan has established guidelines articulating secure, reliable, and human-centered AI governance.[3] These elements justify the interest in studying how this orientation determines technological cooperation in Africa, a continent where Internet access remains limited (45.6% penetration in 2023 in Cameroon).[4] By focusing on training and knowledge transfer from Japan to Africa, this research fills a gap by offering an integrated reading of the impact ... ... [Read more]

Stepan Grigoryan, Yerevan, Armenia, November 5, 2024 In October 2024, I visited Japan for the first time. I have been to more than 40 countries around the world, but I had never had the chance to visit this beautiful country. How did it happen that I was able to visit Japan?! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) prepared an extremely interesting program in Japan, which included meetings at the MOFA, the Ministry of Defense of Japan (MOD), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, as well as meetings with leading experts and journalists of the country. The program also included an introduction to the culture and traditions of the Japanese people. What did I know about Japan before my trip?! That it is a technologically highly developed country, and also a member of the Group of Seven (G7). Of course, I knew that ... ... [Read more]

The first weeks of the second Trump administration have made clear that the United States is no longer content to carry out business as usual. Washington is in the throes of a full-scale reorientation of its grand strategy, with deep implications for its allies, including Japan. For decades, the U.S.-Japan alliance has stood as a cornerstone of the regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region. For Tokyo, reliance on the United States’ conventional military might—backed by the country’s nuclear deterrent—has been the fundamental building block of its own national security. The tectonic geopolitical shifts being initiated by the Trump administration will demand a rethink in both capitals about the most prudent way forward. For Washington, allies are no longer necessarily seen as assets, but, in many cases, liabilities. President Trump’s impulses on alliances were somewhat moderated during his first term by the more traditional ... ... [Read more]

  Though you may be tempted to hear the word “diplomacy” and imagine leaders in stuffy suits shaking hands, their pictures forever inked unsmiling into even stuffier, impenetrable textbooks, the truth of cultural diplomacy, particularly coming out of Japan, is about as vibrant and bombastic as you can get. Owing much to Japanese cartoons (anime) and comic books (manga), cultural exchange between Japan and other nations is now a literal page-turner. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, record numbers of international athletes (think the US, Spain, Colombia, France, etc.) took to their events striking famous poses from One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Dragon Ball, and other legendary works from across Japan, drawing the cheers and applause of recognizant fans the world over.   During their modern origins post-WWII, anime and manga were inspired by classic western cartoons like Disney and Betty Boop. The tides have since turned. Now, ... ... [Read more]

The Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) launched by Japan in March last year seeks to advance energy transition while achieving economic growth. How are Japan and ASEAN member countries cooperating towards this? The Asia Zero Emissions Community has taken a collaborative approach to energy transition with the triadic aims: carbon neutrality, economic growth, and energy security. The key is to find and maintain the balance between pursuing the three goals without jeopardizing one another. Aligned with the Paris Agreement’s principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities’, the AZEC incorporates the concept of various pathways to advance energy transition. Tailoring transition strategies to suit specific individual energy contexts of each AZEC partner countries is of paramount importance. The cooperation is multifaceted ranging from facilitating policy coordination, providing financial, technological, and human resources support to enhancing joint cooperation on decarbonisation efforts. The signing of ... ... [Read more]