JAPAN’S FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF U.S.-CHINA RIVALRY: CHALLENGES OF THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION

Abstract

Japan has undergone a unique historical trajectory and now finds itself in unprecedented geopolitical conditions. As a key ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan simultaneously maintains economic cooperation and trade relations with the People’s Republic of China, the leading actor in East Asia, while also supporting Taiwan, a quasi-state entity that relies heavily on Japan and the United States for its security. However, these relationships are far from straightforward. Within the alliance framework, there is an implicit economic competition for the most critical resource of the 21st century – the semiconductor industry. This factor has become a major obstacle to regional stability, pushing political considerations into the background. Furthermore, the current wave of instability in the Middle East has introduced additional contradictions into the regional balance of power, raising broader questions about the long-term capacity of the United States to maintain its position as the leading global power.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of geopolitical instability, including tensions in the Middle East and U.S. involvement in conflicts, on the transformation of Japan’s strategic priorities. The Indo-Pacific region is analyzed as a key arena of competition, along with potential scenarios for shifts in Japan’s economic and monetary orientations. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive analysis of adjustments in Japan’s foreign policy priorities. The methodological framework is based on general scientific methods of analysis, aimed at systematizing theoretical approaches to Japan’s geopolitical strategy and identifying the key factors influencing the implicit regional status quo.