It is hardly surprising that Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has recently taken cognizance of Tokyo’s “defence vacuum” in its “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.” One finds this is in harmony with a near consensus across the Japanese strategic community that the country needs to overhaul its FOIP strategy.

The consensus notes Japan has never been a military superpower. But it has always sought to remain influential on the international scene. It became the first non-Western country to attain the status of a “modern state” in the late 19th century. It achieved economic great-power status during the Cold War. It has struggled to play an active security role at the international level in the post-Cold War era. Japan has been aware that it must have strong relations with the nations of the Pacific Islands region. Since 1997, it has hosted its Pacific Island Leaders’ Meeting (PALM), every three years.

Today Japan........

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