Thayer Consultancy Background Report:

ABN # 65 648 097 123

Japan's Free and Open Indo-
Pacific Strategy: A Work in
Progress

Carlyle A. Thayer
July 15,2017
Japanese diplomats argue that the "Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy" is an
evolution and development of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's speech to the lndian
Parliament on August 22,2007 entitled "Confluence of the Two Seas." ln this speech
Prime Minister Abe argued:
The Pacific and the lndian Oceans are now bringlng about a dynamic coupling as seas of freedom
and of prosperity. A "broader Asia" that broke away geographical boundaries is now beginning to
take on a distinct form. Our two countries have the ability -- and the responsibility -- to ensure that
it broadens yet further and to nurture and enrich these seas to become seas of clearest
tra nspa rence.

My friends, Japan and lndia have come of late to be of the same intent to form a "Strategic Global
Partnership." in which the two countries are going to expand and fortify their relations. As for
how Japan has come to such a conclusion, I hope that through what I have just laid out as my
personal views you have come to understand the recognition and expectations Japan has
towards lndia.

This partnership ls an association in which we share fundamental values such as freedom,

democracy, and the respect for basic human rights as well as strategic interests.

.lapanese diplomacy is now promoting various concepts in a host of different areas so that a
region called "the Arc o[ Freelpnn an{j Prosperitv" will be formed along the outer rim of the
Eurasian continent.l The Strategic Global Partnership of Japan and lndia is pivotal for such
pursuits to be successful.

By Japan and lndia coming together in this way, this "broader Asia" will evolve into an immense
network spanning the entirety of the Pacific Ocean, incorporating the United States of America and
Australia. Open and transparent, this network will allow people, goods, capital, and knowledge to
flow freely.
Can we not say that faced with this wide, open, broader Asia, it is incumbent upon us two
democracies, Japan and lndia, to carry outthe pursuit of freedom and prosperity in the region?

In addition, as maritime states, both lndia and Japan have vital interests in the security of sea
lanes. lt goes without saying that the sea lanes to which I refer are the shipping routes that are
the most critical for the world economy.
From now on let us together bear this weighty responsibility that has been entrusted to us, by
joining forces with like-minded countries, shall we not, ladies and gentlemen?

l Address by H,E. Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of
the Founding of the Japan Forum on lnternational Relations, lnc. "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity"
(March 12,2007).
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The question of what Japan and lndia should do cooperatively in the area of security in the years
to come is one that the officials in charge of diplomacy and defence in our countries must
consider jointly.

On September 1, 201,4,lndia and Japan announced their Special Strategic and Global
Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tokyo where he met
with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This statement included the following under the
heading Political, Defence and Security Partnership:
The two Prime Minlsters decided to continue the practice of annual summits and to meet as often
as possible on the margins of regional and multilateral rneetings.

Recognizing the special quality of bilateral engagement between lndia and Japan imparted by
multi-sectoral rninisterial and Cabinet-level dialogues, in particular, those between their Foreign
Ministers, Defence Ministers and Ministers dealing with finance, economy, trade and energy, the
two Prime Ministers decided to intensify and invigorate such exchanges. ln this regard, they
weiccmed that the next rounds of Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue and Defence Ministers
dialogue would be held in 2014. They attached importance to the dialogue between their National
Sercurity Advisors, launched eariier this year soon after the creation of the National Security
Secretariat in Japan, as a key instrument of building deeper mutual understanding and cooperation
across the full range of security issues. They underlined the importance of the 2 plus 2 dialogue,
involving Foreign and Defence Secretaries, for their growing strategic partnership, and decided to
seek ways to intensify this dialogue.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of defence relations between lndia and Japan
in th<lir strateg!c partnership and decided to upgrade and strengthen them. They welcorned the
signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of Defence during the visit.
ln this context, they attached importance to the regularization of bilateral rnaritime exercises as
well as to Japan's continued participation in lndia - US Malabar series of exercises. They also
tt,elcomed the existing dialogue mechanism and joint exercises between lndian and..lapanese Coast
Guards.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the recent developments in japan's policy on transfer of defence
equipment and technology. The tlvo Prime Ministers expressed the hope that this would usher in
a new era of cooperation in defence equipment and technology. They recognized the enormous
future potential for transfer and collaborative projects in defence equipment and technology
between the two countries. They v,relcomed progress made in discussions in the Joint Working
Group on cooperation in US-2 amphibian aircraft and its technology, and directed their officials to
accelerate their discussions. They also directed their officials to launch working-level consultations
between the two countries with a view to promoting defence equipment and technology
cooperation.

The two Prime Ministers recognized their wide-ranging shared interests in security of maritime and
cyber domains, and decided to work with each other and with like-minded partners to preserve
the integrity and inviolability of these global commons. They affirmed their shared commitment to
maritime security, freedom of navigation and overflight, civil aviation safety, unimpeded lawful
cornmerce, and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law.

On Decembert2,2015, Prime MinistersAbe paid a return visitto lndia where he held

a summit meeting with Prime Minster Modi in New Delhi. According to Japan's
Ambassador to lndia, "the two Prime Ministers decided to develop this partnership
into an action-orientated partnership. They announced 'Japan and lndia Vision 2025'
and pledged to work for peace, security and development of the lndo-Pacific Region...
Under the renewed ond enhonced partnership, lapan ond lndio will be oble to promate
the'Free ond Open lndo-Pacific Strotegy'[emphasis added]." The Joint Statement of
lndia and Japan Vision 2025 they set out new and expanded principles for realizing a
peaceful, equitable and rules-based order across the lndo-Pacific.
 a
J

The idea of a "Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy" was first suggested in broad terms
by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his address to the 6th Tokyo lnternational Conference
on African Development in Nalrobi, Kenya on August 27,201.6.
What will give stability and prosperity to the world is none other than the enormous liveliness
brought forth through the union of two free a nd open oceons and two continents.

Japan bears the responsibility of fostering the confluence of the Pacific and lndian Oceans and
of Asia and Africa into a place that values freedom, the ruie of law, and the market economy,
free from force or coercion, and making it prosperous.

Japan wants to work together with you in Africa in order to make the seas that connect the two
continents into peaceful seas that are governed by the rule of law. That is what we wish to do
with you.
The winds that traverse the ocean turn our eyes to the future.

The supply chain is already building something quite like an enormous bridge between Asia and
Africa, providing industrial wisdom. The population in Asia living in democracies is more
numerous than that of any other region on earth.

Asia has enjoyed growth on the basis of the democracy, rule of law, and market economy that
has taken root there. lt is my wish that the self-confidence and sense of responsibility spawned
there as a result come to envelop the entirety of Africa together with the gentle winds that blow
here.

Let us make this stretch that is from Asia to Africa a main artery for growth and prosperity. Let
us advance together, Africa and Japan, sharing a common vision [emphasis added].

On October 7,20!6, the Delhi Policy Group hosted a conference on lndia and Japan:
Confluence of Maritime Democracies. Japan's Ambassador to lndia, Kenji Hiramatsu,
gave a keynote address in which he stated, "The 'Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy'
envisions a broad region which encompasses two oceans - the Pacific and lndian
Oceans, to include not only Asia but also Africa. This aims to improve connectivity
through free and open lndo-Pacific to promote stability and prosperity of the region
as a whole."

Prime Minister Abe then elaborated on how Japan and lndia can cooperate to
promote the Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy:
Japan and lndia agree that assuring maritime security across the lndian and Pacific Oceans is a
prerequisite to economic prosperity in the broader lndo-Pacific region. The two countries have
shared values and views including the rule of law, the importance of international law in particular
UNCLOS, peaceful resolution of disputes without use or threat of use of force, freedom of
navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters. Japan and lndia
should be united and raise the voice in international arena to ensure that these values and views
will prevail in this region and across the globe. I am happy to see Japan and lndia are on the same
page in this regard.

Under this shared value and views, the two countries are closely cooperating in various ways to
ensure maritime security in the region. When Prime Minister Abe visited lndia last year, it was
decided that Japan would participate in the lndia-U.S. Malabar Exercises on a regular basis. This
year, the Malabar Exercise successfully took place in the Sasebo Port and the maritime area east
of Okinawa in June. To further develop dialogue and exchanges between the two countries on
maritime security, the second Japan-lndia Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in November last
year. ln addition, when the Defense Minister of Japan visited lndia in July this year, the two Defense
Ministers agreed to explore the setting up of a Maritime Strategic Dialogue between the two
Defense Ministries. The two countries also contribute to anti-piracy activities off the coast of
Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in their respective capacity. lam pleased to note our cooperation
in maritime security domain is progressing steadly.
 4

lmproving connectivity of the lndo-Pacificwill lead to stability and prosperity of the region. Japan
recognizes the importance of enhancing its cooperation with lndia to augment connectivity in lndia
and the region. I believe that it will benefit all the relevant parties if Japan and lndia explore ways
to coordinate in supporting infrastructure development in lndian neighbors such as Myanmar or
Sri Lanka for example. I hope concrete joint projects will be implemented in the future.

lndia has historically a strong connection with Africa, especlally with countries located on the east
coast and Prime Minister Modi is promoting active diplomacy toward Africa. There is a vast
potential for bilateral cooperation between Japan and India in the development of African
countries. Developments of infrastructure, business environment and human resources as well as
promotion of trade and investment are among the possible areas of cooperation. When Japanese
companies expand their business in Africa, it would be useful for them to collaborate with lndian
companies. Exploring ways to facilitate matching of Japanese and lndian companies should be on
our agenda. I would like to press ahead this agenda vigorously.

Beyond this bilateral context, it is also important to strengthen coordination and cooperation with
other partners for the peace and stability of the region. A Japan-lndia-U.S. Trilateral dialogue
among the Foreign Ministers of the three countries was held for the first time in New York last
year. lfirmly believe the strategic value of this trilateral and welcome recent positive
developments. We look forward to continuing high level exchanges among the three countries with
a view to creating tangible results. The result-oriented approach is also the key in this cooperation.
With regard to regional frameworks, Japan strongly supports lndia's membership of the APEC as it
would contribute to the economic integration in the region. We expect lndia to play further active
role in the East Asia Summit. I hope to have more policy coordination between lndia and Japan
together with other likeminded countries of EAS. As a dialogue partner of the lndian Ocean Rim
Association (IORA), Japan is keen to see how this association evolves.

While Japan and lndia as well as our partner countries are determined to contribute to peace and
stability of the region, they also face challenges. Unilateral action to change the status quo by force
or coercion is a great concern for all of us. The arbitration award in the case between the
Philippines and China for the South China Sea issue will be an important test case to judge whether
the rule of law prevails in the region. Japan and lndia must continue to make clear that this award
be complied with for the sake of the rule of law.

Another challenge is the threat of terrorism..Japan strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the
lndian Base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, and extends its sincere condolences to those who lost their
lives and their bereaved families, and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured.
Japan condemns terrorism in all forms regardless of its purposes, and strongly reiterates that no
act of terrorism can be justified. Japan expresses its solidarity with lndia in the fight against
terrorism.

North Korea's continued development of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes are
serious security threats in the region, too. Japan, lndia and other major powers should be united
in urging North Korea to fully comply with its international obligation and abandon its nuclear
weapons. We also expect lndia's continuous support forJapan on the abduction issue.

ln 2017, Japan undertook a number of initiatives to promote its Japan's "Free and
Open lndo-Pacific Strategy."
o Prime Minister Shinzo Abe briefed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Japan's
"free and open lndo-Pacific Strategy" during their talks on January 14,20L7.
. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe briefed President Joko Widodo on Japan's "free and
open lndo-Pacific Strategy" during his visit to Jakarta as an alternative to
China's One Belt One Road initiative. The two leaders made no public mention
of this topic during their press conference.
o Japan's "free and open lndo-Pacific Strategy" was discussed at the 7th Japan-
Australia 2+2Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations held in Tokyo on
 5

April22,2OL7 . Australia "welcomed Japan's greater engagement in the region

under its "Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy."
o Japan's "free and open lndo-Pacific Strategy" was addressed by the Mission of
Japan to the European Union, Subcommittee on Security and Defense,
European Parliament on May 22,2OL7 .
Japan's "Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy" is a work in progress. lt builds on
elements of Japan's long-standing foreign policy and overseas development aid policy.
It is an explicit counter to China's One Belt One Road initiative. This strategy seeks to
enlist other democracies and like-minded countries in the lndo-Pacific Region,
particularly lndia.

Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, "Japan's Free and Open lndo-Pacific Strategy: A
Work in Progress," Thayer Consultancy Background Report, July 1-5, 20L7. All
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