INTERPLAY BETWEEN GEOPOLITICS AND GEOECONOMICS SHAPES JAPAN-ASEAN RELATIONS: ISIS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The interplay between geopolitics and geoeconomics will remain a constant in the evolving dynamics of Japan-ASEAN relations, said Chairman of the Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah.

He said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has already demonstrated a positive stance, signalling a pragmatic approach to multilateralism and continued engagement with the ASEAN region.

“How will the drift and flow of changing times affect the balance between the two paradigms, so as to foster not just a truly free and open Indo-Pacific, but one that is vibrant and prosperous?” he asked in his speech at the Japan-ASEAN Roundtable organised by ISIS on Tuesday.

He noted that while the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) aligns with the core principles of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)—including the rule of law, freedom of navigation, free and open trade, respect for diversity, and ASEAN centrality—much more still needs to be done to achieve tangible and sustainable outcomes.

“While there’s no gainsaying that the AOIP demonstrates how ASEAN intends to engage the wider Indo-Pacific on its own terms, it must also be driven by a reinvigorated sense of ASEAN Centrality. Failing this, we may end up falling into the proverbial adage: ‘the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!’” he said.

He further emphasised that this is especially important in the context of our deliberations today in trying to see the convergence of the integral pillars of the AOIP with the FOIP.

“This is why it bears stressing that the AOIP is now embedded in the Strategic Goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 across all three pillars. This means that its strategic value has been enhanced tremendously, thus positively impacting engagement with our partners and stakeholders,” said Mohd Faiz.

He highlighted that the FOIP also reflects elements of the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor and the imperative to mobilise resources to enhance infrastructure resilience, economic security and climate sustainability.

“This underscores the principle of deeper inter-regionalism as actively spearheaded under Malaysia’s strategic foreign policy approaches,” he added.

In this vein, he said there is a need to seize the opportunity to utilise existing frameworks more effectively, such as the ASEAN+3.

“We should also explore further synergies, such as tapping on Japan’s efforts in working with mechanisms such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to drive regional integration and interconnectedness,” he noted.

-- BERNAMA