Japan’s Diplomacy Towards ASEAN from the Perspective of its “Indo-Pacific Strategy”

Ever since Japan put forward “a free and open Indo-Pacific” strategy, ASEAN countries have become the cut-in point for Japan to establish an Indo-Pacific order. Japan has carried out a lot of cooperation with ASEAN countries in safeguarding a free and open regional order, high-quality infrastructure, connectivity, economic zone construction, and maritime security. However, as its “Indo-Pacific strategy” is still in the conceptual stage, it is difficult for Japan to lead ASEAN countries into its expected track. Pursuing a balanced diplomacy towards major powers, ASEAN wishes to maintain its centrality in the Indo-Pacific order through cooperation with Japan, so as to achieve a dynamic balance in the Indo-Pacific region. This will exert great impacts on the future development of international relations in this region.