Research

 

David’s research examines Japanese foreign and security policymaking, focusing especially on the evolution of Japan’s security policy doctrines and the role of political leadership in Japanese diplomacy. He is interested in how Japanese political actors have been searching for new polices to address a more challenging Asian security environment and is currently is pursuing several projects focusing on Japan and its engagement with the region.

Enhancing Australia-Japan Cooperation: New Approaches to Minilateralism

How can Australia and Japan can employ “minilateral” groupings to realize their aim of a free and open Indo-Pacific? In an increasingly contested geopolitical environment, both countries have sought to supplement their bilateral alliances and multilateral interactions with smaller exclusive minilateral arrangements, such as via the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue with the US and the Quad (with the addition of India). Generously supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation, this project aims to unpack Australian-Japanese participation in minilaterals to analyze their national and combined approaches and reveal how the Japan-Australia partnership deliver greater minilateral cooperation.

Japan, ASEAN and human security

How has Japan’s approach to human security evolved over the past two decades? What has driven its policies? This project examines Japan’s application of the human security concept in the country’s engagement with Southeast Asia, especially in terms of its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nations.

Japan’s American alliance

Japan’s alliance with the United States remains the cornerstone of the country’s security policy. Yet the alliance has also come with costs, such as institutionalizing Tokyo’s dependence on Washington and limiting its strategic autonomy. This project studies how Japan has sought to manage the task of reconciling such tensions between the often-conflicting goals of deterrence and autonomy.

 

Photo by David Edelstein on Unsplash