Japan remains Southeast Asia’s most trusted major power, even as Tokyo moves to expand its defence role and considers changes to its pacifist constitution. According to the latest annual survey by Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 65.6% of Southeast Asian respondents expressed confidence in Japan, keeping it ahead of the EU, the US, China and India.
The survey, released on April 7 and involving 2,008 respondents across ASEAN, found that the EU was trusted by 55.9% of respondents, followed by the US at 44%, China at 39.8% and India at 38.5%. Japan’s score was slightly lower than last year’s 66.8%, but analysts say its long-standing regional engagement continues to shape positive perceptions.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is now pushing to amend Article 9 of the constitution by formally recognising the Self-Defence Forces and expanding their legal scope. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has set a one-year timeline to propose the amendment, while Japan is also moving to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2027.
Experts say Southeast Asia’s trust is rooted in decades of Japanese development aid, coastguard support, disaster relief and diplomatic restraint. Nguyen Truong Giang, a Vietnam-born researcher in Japan, said Tokyo’s image reflects consistent non-threatening engagement, while Karl Ian Uy Cheng Chua of the University of the Philippines Diliman noted the region has benefited from Japan’s US$128 billion in development aid.
Aniello Iannone of Diponegoro University said most ASEAN governments view a stronger Japan through today’s strategic pressures, including US-China rivalry and South China Sea tensions. Still, analysts warn Tokyo must clearly explain its security intentions so its military normalisation is seen as supporting regional stability, not reviving historical fears.
