PERSPECTIVE
FREE AND
OPEN INDO-
PACIFIC: ROLE
OF JAPAN
AND INDIA
BY KATSUO MATSUMOTO*
T
he Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) concept,
initially advocated by the Japanese government, is
based on the recognition that a maritime order that is
free and open under the rule of law represents a foundation
for the stability and prosperity of the international community.
The Indo-Pacifi c region, encompassing an area from the
Asia-Pacifi c region to the Indian Ocean to the Middle East
and Africa, constitutes a growth centre of the world. It is vital
to maintain or bolster it’s free and open maritime order by
eliminating various kinds of threats such as those from piracy,
natural disasters, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction and illegal operations to ensure the stability
and prosperity of the Indio-Pacifi c region.
The entire Indo-Pacifi c region’s economic activities will
be stimulated by connecting Asian economies that have grown
signifi cantly through attaining a certain degree of political
stability, with Middle Eastern and African countries that are
expected to grow in the coming years and by boosting the
regional connectivity.
Japan, the U.S., India and Australia, which support this
concept, are exploring the potential of a cooperative platform
and intend to work on strategic and eff ective development
cooperation eff orts. Specifi cally, at the November 2017
Japan-U.S. summit meeting, both countries affi rmed that
the following three-pillar measures would be taken for the
purpose:
•
Promotion and establishment of fundamental values (the
rule of law, freedom of navigation, etc.);
• The pursuit of economic prosperity (improvement of
connectivity, etc.); and
• Commitment for peace and stability (capacity building
on maritime law enforcement, etc.)
As for the One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative
advocated by the Chinese government, the Japanese
government recently announced that it was ready to extend
cooperation to infrastructure projects in the third countries on
the condition that China keeps its infrastructure development
open, transparent, economical and fi nancially sound. In short,
Japan will work with China as long as its external assistance
conforms to international standards. Following this, the two
governments of Japan and China have continued discussions
on Japan-China private cooperation in the third country. The
main sectors under review are transportation/distribution
system, energy/environment, Industrialization/Financial
Support, and regional development.
To drive the FOIP Initiative, cooperation between Japan
and India is particularly important because of the following
factors:
(A) The two countries, being geographically close
to many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, find it a
40 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 4 • April-May 2019, Noida