Part 2/11:
Southeast Asia remains critical to Japan’s strategy. Despite China’s rapid economic rise and increasing investments, Japan continues to be a major investor and infrastructure builder across the region. Notably, Japanese investments are transforming urban centers like Danang in Vietnam, signaling Japan’s commitment to fostering regional resilience and connectivity.
Japan’s Vision: The Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)
At the core of Japan’s regional strategy is the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) concept, championed initially by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. This strategy predates China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and emphasizes two main pillars: