Japan is deepening its maritime security partnerships with Pacific Island nations through targeted initiatives to bolster maritime domain awareness (MDA). The efforts reflect Japan’s strategic vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) while addressing pressing regional challenges such as illegal fishing, environmental threats and geopolitical competition.
Japan’s engagement with nations including Fiji, Micronesia and Palau has shifted from primarily providing developmental aid to a focus on capacity building and maritime security, according to Dr. Jeffrey Hornung, a defense analyst with the Rand Corp.
“By helping Pacific nations protect their waters and address issues like illegal fishing, Japan builds goodwill and reduces reliance on China,” Hornung told FORUM. “This, in turn, stabilizes the international system and aligns with Japan’s broader strategic interests.”
A key initiative is the provision of patrol boats, such as those supplied to Fiji and Palau. The vessels, supported by training conducted by the Japan Coast Guard, enhance local enforcement capabilities. Many island nations have limited infrastructure, human resources and other assets, making it challenging for them to monitor and secure their vast maritime zones.
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation also plays a critical role in capacity-building initiatives, presenting conferences in conjunction with Japan and the United States to facilitate delivery of training and resources to Pacific partners.
Japan’s partnerships align with its FOIP strategy, which seeks to maintain open and secure sea lanes in the region. Tokyo’s initiatives support a rules-based maritime order and help stabilize the Pacific region against external coercion.
Geopolitical dynamics underscore the importance of Japan’s engagement. The Pacific Islands have become a focus of the People’s Republic of China’s strategic interests, including port development. Japan’s sustained presence and investments serve as a counterbalance. Meanwhile, satellite-based surveillance for tracking vessels engaged in illegal fishing is seen as integral to effective MDA in the region.
Collaborations with Australia, the U.S. and other partners through initiatives such as the Blue Dot Network and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) amplify Japan’s initiatives, Hornung said. By pooling resources and sharing intelligence, the multilateral efforts address gaps in maritime enforcement and surveillance.
The Blue Dot Network is a voluntary, government-supported program to set standards for infrastructure projects and foster investment in developing nations. The IPMDA is an initiative of the Quad partnership among Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. Unveiled in 2022, it incorporates satellite and radio frequency technologies to enhance MDA and boost partner nations’ ability to respond to challenges such as illegal fishing, and natural and humanitarian disasters.
Japan’s MDA initiatives also intersect with broader priorities such as environmental security and climate change, which represent existential threats for Pacific Island nations. At the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in Tokyo in July 2024, then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated his nation’s commitment to sustainable development and offered fisheries research vessels to nations including Micronesia and Papua New Guinea, according to The Atlantic Council, a U.S.-based think tank.
The vessels will help local agencies assess marine resources and address ecological concerns, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported.
Through initiatives such as the provision of patrol boats, advanced surveillance systems and multilateral cooperation, Japan is fortifying maritime security in the region. “These partnerships allow Japan to reduce reliance on China while promoting a stable and rules-based maritime order, crucial for the broader Indo-Pacific strategy,” Hornung said.
