Identifying Gap and Exploring Opportunities in AOIP and FOIP Synergy Efforts

by Calvin Khoe, LL.M.

The geopolitical landscape is shifting with increased regional cooperation efforts by ASEAN and Japan to maintain stability and influence amid major power competition. Meanwhile, concepts like strategic autonomy are increasingly debated among US allies, including Japan and the EU. Middle-sized countries like Indonesia and Japan also seek greater agency through regional cooperation. Both countries advocate for the Indo-Pacific due to its political security and economic importance. The Indo-Pacific concept gained momentum with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) in 2016 and US endorsement in 2017. In 2019, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) to promote inclusive cooperation. Despite high trust from Southeast Asia, the AOIP and FOIP face challenges in synergy and operational momentum. This research systematically analyzes the relationship between the AOIP and FOIP frameworks and proposes practical pathways for ASEAN and Japan to align and cooperate more effectively in the Indo-Pacific region.

The purpose of this research is to systematically analyze the relationship between the AOIP and FOIP frameworks in the Indo-Pacific region. The research’s core purpose is to bridge the gap between the AOIP and FOIP by identifying where they diverge and converge, and to provide practical pathways for ASEAN and Japan to work together more effectively in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Download: 
https://www.psat.center/reports/aoip-foip-research-report.pdf