Presentation - Regional Perspectives on the South China Sea-Japan

As scholars have noted – and the Japanese government itself has explained – Japan is a “stakeholder” in the South China Sea disputes. It does have important national interests at play in how these disputes are resolved or not resolved. So, today, I’d like to review some of these interests and provide your perhaps with an insight into how Japan’s perceives the South China as an “important stakeholder.” I’m going to do this by asking three basic questions. One: Why is the South China Sea important Japan and to its national interests? Two: Following on from these interests, what are Japan’s strategic objectives with respect to the South China Sea? And three: What are the risks and uncertainties for Japan in the South China Sea?