Japan’s FOIP-based Diplomacy Toward the Pacific Islands Region

Since the eighth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting in 2018, Japan has emphasized its Pacific diplomacy within the Free and Open Indo-Pacific framework (FOIP) to increase its presence and counter China’s growing influence. Japan’s FOIP concept has not only a confrontational but also a cooperative approach toward China. However, some Pacific Island countries (PICs) suspect that the FOIP framework might involve a containment strategy against China. As PICs attempt to maintain neutrality and non-alignment, they are reluctant to endorse Japan’s FOIP. By examining the challenges of Japan’s FOIP-based Pacific diplomacy, this paper concludes that to enhance its presence and ultimately contain China’s growing influence in this region under FOIP-based diplomacy, Japan should engage in sufficient dialogue, explaining its ideas and understanding PICs’ perspectives on Japan’s FOIP and thereby dispelling PIC concerns. Furthermore, this study suggests building a tailor-made framework, a Japan-PIC FOIP, wherein both parties are involved in its development.