↗ Though an ocean away, Japan’s prosperity is directly linked to the Indian Ocean region as it relies heavily on its sea routes for energy and trade. 

↗ Tokyo’s deep integration across the breadth of the region – reaching from Southeast Asia to the East coast of Africa – reflects this importance. It has engaged the ocean’s littoral through diplomacy, economic investment, aid, and security initiatives. 

↗ Its Official Development Assistance in the Indian Ocean region – especially for infrastructure and the blue economy – is significant, rivalling the initiatives of other external powers like China. 

↗ Japan also has a strong security presence in the Indian Ocean, anchored in its military base in Djibouti. Nearly 40 per cent of its Self-Defense Force missions have taken place in the region, including anti-piracy missions, humanitarian assistance, and multilateral military exercises. 

↗ As a like-minded and established bilateral partner, Japan’s Indian Ocean engagement presents an opportunity for Australia to deepen its own regional connections and maintain strategic balance in a key geopolitical arena. This opportunity is critical for Australia while it considers how to broaden its limited regional engagement.