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Japan’s Security Interests and Strategies in the South China Sea

This chapter examines Japan's strategic interest in the South China Sea (SCS). It stresses Japan's responsibility for maintaining stability in the sea since sustainable development of the Japanese economy heavily relies on the safety of sea lines of communications (SLOCs) in the SCS. It also clarifies that the SCS is an integral part of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision vigorously promoted by the Japanese government. The chapter illustrates how Japan Self Defence Forces has gradually increased its presence by conducting a variety of military exercises by itself and with the regional and extra-regional countries for enhancing internationally shared rules and norms in the SCS as a responsible maritime power. It examines Japan's foreign and defence policies regarding the SCS, including the principles and strategies that Japan advances in the ocean that involve the SCS.