The ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute organised the ASEAN Lecture on “Japan’s ‘New’ Approaches to Southeast Asia” on 23 September 2015. 
The ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute organised the ASEAN Lecture on “Japan’s ‘New’ Approaches to Southeast Asia” on 23 September 2015.
Mr Hitoshi Tanaka, Chairman of the Institute for the International Strategy at the Japan Research Institute, Ltd, spoke on Japan’s current relationship with Southeast Asia, bearing in mind its long-standing presence in the region as a key ASEAN Dialogue Partner.
With China’s charm diplomacy as the strategic backdrop, Mr Tanaka discussed the Abe Administration’s priorities in Southeast Asia, the impetus driving Japan’s increased profile in the Mekong 5 countries, as well as the possible political-security role Japan can expect to undertake, given its current domestic legal and cultural constraints.
The lecture can be watched here.