The Role of Japan in the US Strategy for the Indo-Pacific Region Under President Joe Biden

Abstract

This article analyzes Japan’s role in the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy under President Joe Biden’s administration from the perspective of realist theory. In the context of intensifying US-China strategic competition and the rise of the Indo-Pacific region as a global geopolitical focal point, Japan’s role as a key US ally has become increasingly important in shaping the regional security space and order led by Washington. The research results show that Japan plays a pivotal role for the US in balancing power and preventing the Russia-China alliance from restructuring the security space in Northeast Asia in particular and the Indo-Pacific in general. Finally, the article concludes that Japan’s active participation has made a significant contribution to maintaining a rules-based regional order while enhancing both Japan’s and the US’s positions in the region.