Leveraging some ASEAN member states in the South China Sea is a key policy approach for Japan to contain China while aligning with the United States.Because of these geopolitical calculations,Japan has extended support to ASEAN countries primarily in three dimensions of maritime security capabilities:awareness of maritime situation,maritime law enforcement,and maritime defense.To assess the implementation of these policies and their actual impact on the South China Sea situation,this paper systematically evaluates Japan's support in the last years,with a particular emphasis on the two main parties in the South China Sea disputes,Vietnam and the Philippines.In sum,Japan's support has elevated the modernization of maritime security capabilities,fostered confidence among these nations in countering China which increased the probability of conflicts in the South China Sea,and made Japan emerged as a significant external factor in exacerbating the regional situation.The effectiveness of Japan's policies was constrained by the balance of power within the ASEAN and different perceptions among ASEAN countries.Looking ahead,owing to encouragement and demands from the United States,Japan is poised to further intensify its involvement in the Southeast Asian landscape and its interaction with the Philippines.Consequently,China is facing more challenge in the mainte-nance of peace and stability in the South China Sea.
关键词
日本/东盟/南海问题/海上安保能力/地缘政治
Key words
Japan/ASEAN/South China Sea Disputes/Maritime Security Capability/Geopolitics
维普
万方数据