ABSTRACT
In the ongoing century the strategic viability of the Indian Ocean has been on constant rise. It has become a major flashpoint for conflict among the major powers. One of the reasons for the mounting significance of the Indian Ocean is rising economies of Asia and their growing surge for raw materials, including the vital energy resources from the Middle East, to boost their respective economies. Apart from this, the collapse of communism which marked the end of Cold War and the post-9/11 Iraq and Afghanistan crises on the one hand have undermined the significance of Atlantic Ocean and on the other hand boosted the geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean. 1
Despite being a naval power, Japan didn’t demonstrate any importance towards the Indian Ocean before the Second World War. However, in the postwar period after realizing the significance of the Indian Ocean, Japan like other major powers also showed keen interest in the geostrategically vital Indian Ocean Region. The reason for this was its mounting trade and dependence on the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean for feeding the raw material demands of its industries. Almost one-third of Tokyo’s oil supplies and overseas trade runs through the sea lines of the Indian Ocean. Agriculture and food security also occupies a central position as far as the Japan’s interests in the Indian Ocean are concerned. Tokyo is widely known for being a food importer, and in 2010, the Economic Research Service estimated Japan’s agricultural imports at $50 billion approximately. 2
The rising naval activity of the major powers in this strategically important region also invited Japan to take active notice of the events taking place in the Indian Ocean. These developments directly or indirectly pose security challenges to Japan. Tokyo has been working in line with Washington and has emerged as a major contributor as far as
superpower rivalry in the Indian Ocean Region is concerned. It seems quite apparent that the main motive behind US-India-Japan’s Malabar exercise is to balance the China’s naval expansion and its assertiveness in the region. Speaking in this line, the former prime minister of India, Manmohan Singh, had reiterated that in order to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the Indo-Japan partnership becomes crucial. 3
Unlike other major powers like America, China, and India, Japan’s involvement in the Indian Ocean Region has been given less significance. Since 2008, its involvement in the Indian Ocean Region has witnessed a significant rise. Despite the fact that strong limitations on the Tokyo’s post-Second World War military continue to persist, it has successfully deployed its forces with the aim of meeting the requirements of its energy security. 4 Given the scarcity of important energy resources required to feed the Japanese economy, the sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) running through the Indian Ocean, Malacca Strait and the South China Sea and also the stability of coastal areas are of critical significance to Japan. 5
Japan’s prime interest in the Indian Ocean Region is to ensure energy security. It is also looking for ways to have robust trade relations with the countries of the Indian Ocean Region. Towards this end, Tokyo has been able to make its place in enhancing its trade and other economic initiatives in the countries of region. Japan in the current scenario is successfully utilizing its soft power in the Indian Ocean Region and is also attempting to make its presence apparent in the business sectors of the various countries across the Indian Ocean Region.
