The ‘stabiliser’? Why Japan is Southeast Asia’s most trusted partner

Amid global uncertainty, Japan’s ‘diplomatic consistency’ and pacifist stance solidified its position as the most trusted major power

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Tokyo city skyline. A new survey found Japan’s consistent diplomacy made it the most trusted power in Southeast Asia, enhancing stability amid global conflicts and US-China tensions. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:00pm, 18 Apr 2025Updated: 3:21pm, 18 Apr 2025

Japan’s foreign policy, characterised as “diplomatic consistency”, has bolstered its reputation as a reliable partner in Southeast Asia amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and rising tensions from the US-China trade war, according to observers.

A survey conducted by Singapore’s ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, released earlier this month, found that Japan remained the most trusted major power in the region.

Trust in Japan increased from 58.9 per cent last year to 66.8 per cent this year, according to the seventh State of Southeast Asia survey.

The annual report examined the views of regional opinion makers and thought leaders on geopolitical developments and issues affecting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The survey, conducted over six weeks from January to February, straddling US President Donald Trump’s second term inauguration on January 20, gathered responses from around 2,000 individuals from the 10 Asean member states and East Timor, which is in the process of joining the regional grouping.

Pedestrians walk down the high-street shopping area of the Ginza district in central Tokyo. Trust in Japan among Southeast Asian states has increased. Photo: AFP

Tomoo Kikuchi, a professor at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University, said trust in Japan had increased due to the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, Israel’s actions in Gaza and the tariff showdown between China and the US.