ABSTRACT
Viewed from the perspective of China, fears of Japan’s re-militarization are exemplified by the expanding role of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF), not least because of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s constitutional re-interpretations of restrictions on the use of force. It is therefore not surprising that Japan and its military forces have often been depicted by China as a trouble-maker. What is more interesting perhaps is Tokyo’s desire to stress that to the contrary, it is in fact a trouble-shooter. Analysis conducted herewith will stem from this dichotomous trouble-maker/trouble-shooter framework. This chapter shows how Japanese initiatives in Southeast Asia can be analysed using a smart power framework combining both hard and soft assets. To reposition itself as a trouble-shooter, Japan, combining JSDF and other tools, is firstly helping other nations uphold critical access to global commons such as freedom of maritime navigation. Second, in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the aim is to acclimatize target nations to the growing presence of JSDF forces that are portrayed as an assisting force for good, rather than coercive or threatening. While these are intriguing developments for Japan’s foreign and security policy, questions remain over the assistance Tokyo can realistically deliver, or for that matter, expect from target states in the event of a real conflict.
