Towards an open, secure and rules-based maritime order in Asia.
Water is the dominant geographic feature in Asia, covering nearly 60 percent of its area. From the South China Sea to the Malacca Strait, and from the Sea of Japan to the Gulf of Thailand, the maritime realm is central to the economic, political and security affairs of the region. Asia Maritime Index is a project of Tokyo International University’s Maritime Security Lab and funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) / 日本学術振興会.
Research
In-depth, policy-driven research on maritime security issues in Asia.
Extended ‘Gray Zone’ Deterrence in the South China Sea
Strong military commitments by stronger allies to defend weaker partners is just one necessary component of extended deterrence to limited (gray…
U.S. Naval Presence Needed in Sea of Japan to Strengthen Deterrence Against Chinese Aggression
The greatest danger to the U.S. this decade remains a war with China, most likely in the waters around Taiwan. Japan shares this risk and has focused…
The Status Of Maritime Militia In The South China Sea Under International Law Perspective
In order to assert its geopolitical claims in the South China Sea region, China has used an unusual method, namely the use of its fishing industry as…
Time to Slow Cook China’s South China Sea Frog?
The lack of U.S. strategic attention and sustained naval presence has opened a maritime governance vacancy that the Chinese Communist Party and its…
Curated Analyses
Submitted policy briefs and opinion editorials, and curated analytical pieces from various sources.
March 8, 2023
When disaster strikes, Australia, New Zealand and the US should partner with, not for, the Pacific
Officials from Australia, New Zealand and the United States are set to meet in Canberra this week…
February 17, 2023
Realising the benefits of Washington’s renewed interest in northern Australia
For the third time in less than a century, the US government has rapidly awakened to Australia’s…
January 31, 2023
The US Coast Guard: Provide public goods for a free and open Indo-Pacific
Ask a member of any coast guard in the world for their organization’s mission statement, and each…
January 23, 2023
From the bookshelf: ‘Danger zone: the coming conflict with China’
The prevailing consensus for the past few years has been that an ascendant China is threatening to…
January 23, 2023
Southeast Asia stands firm in the South China Sea
The situation in the South China Sea is far from stable. Chinese vessels engaged in dangerous and…