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
Author: Shusuke Ioku Ph.D. Student at the Department of Political Science, the University of Rochester, for Pacific Forum

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
Author: Brent Sadler for The Heritage Foundation

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
Novena Clementine Manullang, Chloryne Trie Isana Dewi, and Achmad Gusman Siswandi, Padjadjaran University, for JH Ius Quia Iustum

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?
Brent Sadler for The Heritage Foundation

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.