While the U.S. has taken a hard line on China in what some have called a new Cold War, in reality, the U.S. does not have the option to pursue a China containment policy reminiscent of the Cold War era. While both Japan and the U.S. are dependent on the Chinese economy, the two countries also must take action in light of China’s advances to dominate military and information technologies, including 5G, and to contend with China’s continuing disregard for international rules and norms, which not only affects the fundamental value of the Japan–U.S. security alliance but also threatens to undermine regional and global stability. Japan, for its part, has put forth its vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific as the foundation for the regional order. The U.S. government also appears to be expecting active cooperation from its allies, including Japan, to counter China’s moves to expand its military, political, and economic influence.
 
This project aims to formulate pragmatic and effective strategies proposed by security and economics experts from Japan and the U.S. in order to maintain the stability and economic prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region while inducing China to comply with the international rules-based order.

Tsuneo Watanabe