East Asia Forum Quarterly: Volume 14, Number 3, 2022

Abstract

Japan ‘crossed the Rubicon’ after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Unlike eight years ago when Russia annexed Crimea, the Kishida government quickly joined economic and financial sanctions against Russia with other Western countries. Japan also provided financial, humanitarian and even material support to Ukraine despite Russia’s threat of blackmail through cutting off its energy supplies. Japanese policy leaders have repeatedly stressed that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a clear violation of international law, and that Japan should stand up for upholding a ‘rules-based’ international order. For the first time, the term ‘international order’ appeared so many times in Japanese foreign policy statements. Japanese people have generally stood behind the Kishida government’s foreign and security policy activism, including with support for a hike of the defence budget. Yet there are problems and uncertainties about Japan’s future course. Can Japan confront ‘a three-front war’ against China, North Korea and Russia? How can Japan manage its relations with both the United States and China in an era of great power competition and a growing risk of military conflict, such as that over the Taiwan Strait, when Japan’s economic security is so heavily tied to China within East Asia? How can it best cope with the emerging and existential global issues of inflation, energy shortage, global warming and the crisis of nuclear nonproliferation regime? Domestically, Japan has yet to escape from seemingly endless waves of COVID-19 and the restrictions on social and economic activities, including its tight international border control. Japan’s digitalisation lags compared with other developed and even developing countries. Maintaining international competitiveness in an era of ageing and shrinking population remains a top priority for Japan’s economic future. The assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022 shook the world and many wonder whether Abe’s legacy will be lasting. Can Japan continue its pursuit of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ with the passing of its main ideologue? In this issue of East Asia Forum Quarterly we examine these issues and explore Japan’s future in an era of growing uncertainty. In Asian Review the test of Indonesia’s global leadership during its G20 presidency and India’s geopolitical choices are put under scrutiny. Show more