Event Report: Japan’s Quiet Leadership: Reshaping the Indo-Pacific

On October 22, the Centre for the Study of Global Japan hosted Mireya Solis, Director of the Center for Asia Policy Studies (CAPS), Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies, and Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings. The event began with opening remarks from Centre Director Dr. Phillip Lipscy, who introduced Dr. Solis and her most recent book, Japan’s Quiet Leadership: Reshaping the Indo-Pacific. 

Dr. Solis opened by posing the central question of her book: How has Japan emerged from years of stagnation as a key player in the Indo-Pacific, and what role can we expect it to continue playing? 

Current geopolitical challenges have spurred profound changes in Japan’s foreign policy. Dr. Solis highlighted various “system-level stressors,” such as rising tensions between the United States and China and an increase in economic nationalism globally. The growth of populist rhetoric, especially in the U.S., has led to an inward turn and growing skepticism toward alliances. In response, Japan has proven itself to be an indispensable ally to the United States, supporting its Indo-Pacific strategy and anchoring its own role in the region. Dr. Solis provided examples of Japan’s strategic involvement, particularly in military, economic, and multilateral security cooperation. She noted that Japan has emerged as a leader in trade liberalization, moving from a passive stance to becoming an adept rule-maker in international trade systems. 

To explain Japan’s evolution, Dr. Solis emphasized three key factors discussed in her book. She first noted that although Japan has experienced a relative decline in capabilities, these factors have allowed it to navigate constraints. First, she highlighted the importance of Japan’s domestic foundations for international leadership: Japan has not faced the populist turmoil seen elsewhere and has maintained a focus on economic globalization and strong international relations. Second, a rise in prime ministerial leadership has empowered the office, leading to more robust policies and greater coordination among bureaucracies. Lastly, Japan has effectively leveraged network diplomacy by building partnerships with other nations. Through private investment, infrastructure funding, and trade agreement leadership, Japan has become integral to the region’s economic infrastructure. These factors have positioned Japan to play a critical role in addressing key challenges in the Indo-Pacific. 

Dr. Solis then addressed ongoing challenges Japan faces, especially in economic security, as it navigates relationships with both the U.S. and China amid deepening tensions. While Japan remains aligned with U.S. strategic goals, some aspects of this partnership require careful management. Dr. Solis noted Japan’s particular concerns about U.S. economic strategies in the region, especially as technological priorities diverge between Japan and the U.S. She highlighted the continuing challenge of global fragmentation, which is reshaping international networks, and emphasized the importance of Japan’s diplomatic efforts to stay engaged in the region. She concluded her presentation with reflections on current global changes, noting that shifts in leadership worldwide will continue to alter national priorities and international relationships. 

Following Dr. Solis’s presentation, a lively Q&A session covered topics including Japan’s security alliances, the effects of upcoming elections, and Japan’s relationships with Taiwan and China. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Solis for her engaging presentation and to the audience for their active participation.  

If you missed the event and would like to watch it, the recording can be found here.  All CSGJ event recordings can found on our Recorded Events page.