This edited volume examines Japan’s evolving strategic, economic, and diplomatic role in shaping the Indo-Pacific. It explores how Japan has advanced the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) amid changing regional alignments, intensifying great-power competition, and growing economic interdependence. Bringing together perspectives from international relations, geopolitics, strategic studies, economics, and area studies, the book traces Japan’s transition from a reactive post-Cold War power to a more proactive regional actor. It also examines Japan’s engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, India’s Act East Policy, ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Outlook, and U.S. strategic rebalancing. 

The volume highlights the strategic, economic, and normative dimensions of Tokyo’s regional approach, while considering its implications for connectivity, regional cooperation, stability, and the evolving rules-based order. It offers readers a timely assessment of Japan’s partnerships, policy choices, and regional priorities, and considers how these shape the future of the Indo-Pacific in an era of strategic uncertainty.

Dr. Debasish Nandy is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Centre for Studies of South and South-East Asian Societies at Kazi Nazrul University, India. His research focuses on Japan, Asia, international relations, and regional affairs. He has held visiting and fellowship positions at institutions in Japan, Germany, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan, including Osaka University. He is a Senior Fellow at the Pan-Asia Research Institute, Tokyo. He has published extensively and has edited 13 books and authored 8 books.

Dr. Yu-Hua Chen is an Associate Professor in the Global Studies Program at Akita International University, Japan. His research interests include China’s foreign and security policy, Taiwan-Japan relations, Asian history, and international relations. He has taught and conducted research at institutions including the Australian National University and George Washington University. His work has appeared in several leading publications on Asian affairs and international relations.

Dr. Monojit Das, PhD is an independent geopolitical analyst and the Hon. Executive Editor of IADN Indian Aerospace and Defence News, New Delhi.