ASEAN and Japan’s Updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative
Japan's Updated FOIP, announced in May 2026, adds a focus on AI, data infrastructure, supply chains, and security cooperation. The article proposes three concrete cooperation areas: joint preservation of maritime routes, critical minerals supply chains, and energy mutual aid. It emphasizes a functional approach with varying membership by issue, avoiding exclusive blocs.
Why it matters: This relates to the theme of regional resilience, as it outlines practical steps for Japan and ASEAN to collectively address vulnerabilities in sea lanes, energy, and supply chains.