Japan

Heightened activity around Dokdo/Takeshima by the ROK could generate a ‘clash of nationalisms’ with Japan and endanger delicate bilateral relations.

The Japan–Philippines Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) aims to enhance interoperability and rapid-response capabilities.

Japanese diplomacy in 2025 underwent several paradigm shifts, each of which brought in train potentially transformative impacts.

Sanae Takaichi could draw Japan closer to the US, while maintaining steady relations with India and the ROK, even as relations with China are likely to remain challenging.

Sanseito’s rise in the political landscape signals a disruptive shift.

The initiatives announced during the TICAD9 summit in Yokohama offer a second chance to reinvigorate India-Japan collaboration in Africa.

Japan and Australia have strengthened their defence partnership, exemplified by the August 2025 US$ 6 billion Mogami-class frigate deal.

While Prime Minister Ishiba’s untimely exit marks the return of political instability in Japan, he helped navigate Japan through extreme international uncertainty.

While Japan is staunchly committed to maintaining its traditional opposition to nuclear weapons, rising shades of domestic opinion are challenging decades of consensus.

Japan’s evolving OSA policy fosters regional stability through innovative, constitutionally compliant security partnerships.