Japan's Response to Threats of Shipping Disruptions in Southeast Asia and the Middle East

Abstract

JAPAN 'S DEPENDENCE on international economic ties for its survival is well recognized. The nation's vulnerability to disruption of such ties was brought home by the 1973-74 and 1979 oil crises, even though the effect was smaller than had been feared. In recent years, however, another source of vulnerability has assumed importance-the threat of international shipping disruptions in the Middle East and in southwestern and western Pacific waters. The continuing Iran-Iraq war, the political-military instabilities in Southeast Asia, and the Soviet naval buildup in the western Pacific and in Southeast Asian waters are seen in Japan as potential threats to the nation's maritime transport interests, although the nature and the seriousness of the threats are as yet unclear. The present study is an attempt to contribute to the debate on those threats. More specifically, an attempt will be made to answer the following questions. How serious are the threats of international shipping disruptions that would affect Japan's economic security? What is Japan doing about them? What are the likely implications of Japan's policy in this area for its security? Maritime transport is seen today as an integral part of Japan's search for comprehensive security-i.e., the country's efforts, both domestic and external, to ensure its physical security and economic welfare.' Of