Japan's Economic Diplomacy in Southeast Asia Against the Background of Changing US Foreign Policy Orientations and Growing Influence of China

ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНАЯ АЗИЯ: АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ РАЗВИТИЯ, 2025, №2(67), 79-92

 
Annotation: Amid intensifying strategic rivalry between the USA and the People’s Republic of China, Japan is increasingly activating its economic diplomacy in Southeast Asia as a key instrument of foreign policy influence and regional order stabilization. Tokyo is striving to evolve from a dependent ally of the USA into an autonomous strategic actor, focused on building its own bilateral and multilateral ties. This transformation is reflected in the expansion of investment activities, participation in large-scale infrastructure initiatives, technological collaboration, and proactive defense engagement with ASEAN member states. In the face of growing economic and political pressure from China, and the increasing unpredictability of USA policy under the renewed Trump administration, Japan offers a balanced alternative to regional states. Central to this approach is the concept of «quality infrastructure». Concurrently, Japan is modernizing its Official Development Assistance framework, promoting a proactive engagement model encompassing government digitalization and support for green energy and etc. Japanese diplomacy is acquiring a more comprehensive and multidimensional character, integrating economic, technological, humanitarian, and security components. It operates with sensitivity to the political systems of ASEAN states and with respect for their sovereignty.

Keywords: international relations, международные отношения, Россия, Китай, США соперничество, проекты, союзник, экономический рост