TTLV: Japan-Philippines Relations from the Post-Cold War to the Present

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Le Quang Cuong                   

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: April 19, 1981

4. Place of birth: Thanh Liem, Ha Nam

5. Decision No. 3215/2014/QD/XHNV-SDH dated December 31, 2014, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process:

7. Thesis title:Japan-Philippines relations from the post-Cold War to the present

8. Major: International Relations Code: 60.31.02.06

9. Scientific supervisor:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Khanh, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

10. Summary of the thesis results:

Since the end of the Cold War, the world has undergone extremely rapid changes, with a clearly emerging multipolar world order. Japan is striving to restore and maintain its position as an economic power, as well as aiming to become a major political and military power. Alongside this, Japan is actively expanding diplomatic relations with countries and regions around the world to assert its position and role in the region, compete with China through multilateral diplomacy, and strengthen its strategic alliance with the United States.

Japan's efforts to prepare public opinion for amending its 1947 Constitution, aimed at strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and supporting the U.S. "rebalancing" strategy in the Asia-Pacific, are among the moves to consolidate this alliance. Accordingly,"The right to collective self-defense"The "external territory" aspect, as defined in the new security law (passed by the Japanese Parliament in September 2015), is defined by Japan not only for its ally the United States but also for other Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This helps Japan compete more effectively with China, assert its role as a major power in the region, and move towards becoming a "normal power"—an economic, military, and political power.

Since the end of the Cold War, Japan and the Philippines have developed closer relations despite their historical differences. The convergence of geostrategic and economic interests has helped both countries overcome bitter memories of the past and forge a vibrant new strategic partnership. The two countries have grown closer through extensive ties across all sectors, particularly in economic and defense cooperation, which has seen significant progress.

Against the backdrop of Japan strengthening cooperation with the Philippines, especially its active involvement in the South China Sea issue—where Vietnam and the Philippines have interests—this will force China to react in various ways, including strengthening cooperation in all areas to maintain and expand its influence in the region. Accordingly, both Japan and China will actively participate in existing mechanisms of cooperation.

ASEAN, multilateral initiatives, technical assistance, and contributions to the economic development of ASEAN countries are all part of Japan's strategy. However, alongside these opportunities, Japan's approach also presents some challenges. ASEAN countries in general, and the Philippines in particular, have differing views and relationships with Japan and China. These differences could potentially create divisions within ASEAN, hindering internal unity in addressing regional issues, especially the South China Sea issue.

In the future, economic and defense relations between Japan and the Philippines will further strengthen, based on commitments already made by both sides, such as agreements on the transfer of defense technology and equipment, increased bilateral and multilateral training and exercises, as well as commitments agreed upon during President Duterte's visit to Japan (October 2016).

11. Practical applications:

This thesis can be used as a reference for research and teaching on international relations.

12. Future research directions:

13. Published works related to the thesis:

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Le Quang Cuong 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: April 19, 1981 4. Place of birth: Ha Nam Province

5. Admission decision number: 3215/2014/QD/XHNV-SĐ dated December 31, 2014, by the Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU)

6. Changes in academic process: No

7. Official thesis title: “Japan-Philippines relationship since the cold war to now”

8. Major: International relations Code: 60.31.02.06

9. Supervisors: Tran Khanh, Professor-PhD

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

Since the Cold War, the world situation has changed very quickly, multi-polar world order is forming markedly, in which Japan is trying to recover and maintain a position of economic power as well as the country tries to become major political and military. Besides, Japan is also actively expanding diplomatic ties with other countries and regions of the world in order to strengthen its position and role in the region, as well as compete with China in many foreign policy methods and strengthen the strategic alliance with the US.Japan to prepare public opinion to amend the Constitution in 1947, aiming at strengthening the alliance for Japan - the US, supporting the strategy of "rebalancing" of the US in Asia - Pacific region is one of the moves to strengthen this alliance. structure, "the right to collective self-defense" outside the territory are presented in the New Security Law (the Japanese Parliament passed in June 9/2015) is Japanese for determining not only the US but also with allies the other Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia ... Thereby, more favorable Japanese help in competing with China, region confirms the role large countries in the, as well as towards becoming "normal powers" - an economic powerhouse, military and political.Since the end of the Cold War to the present, Japan and the Philippines have developed closer ties in recent years in spite of the history of relations between the two countries. The convergence of geo-strategic interests and the economy was dominated by both Japan and the Philippines to overcome the bitter memories of the past and build partner relationships exciting new strategy. The two countries have become closer to each other than through to now extensive relationships across all fields, especially economic cooperation and defense are more progressive.

In the context of Japan to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines, especially the active involvement in the South China Sea, which Vietnam and the Philippines are the countries with interests in the South China Sea, it will force China to react in many different directions, including the strengthening of cooperation in all areas to keep and promote its influence in the region. formation, both Japan and China will actively participate in the mechanisms of ASEAN, multilateral initiatives, technical support and contribute to the economic development of ASEAN countries. However, besides the opportunity, the Japanese approach also creates some challenges. Perspective, relations with Japan and China of ASEAN countries in general and the Philippines in particular are different. The main difference is likely to create divisions within ASEAN, hindering intrasolidarity in solving regional issues, especially the South China Sea issue.

In the future, economic relations and defense between Japan and the Philippines will grow even stronger, based on the commitments that have been made as the two sides agreed on the transfer of technology and defense equipment, enhanced training and exercises bilateral and multilateral, as well as the commitment that the two countries agreed during a visit to Japan (October 2016) of President Duterte.

11. Practical applicability:

The thesis could be used for reference for research, teaching on international relations.

12. Further research directions:

13. Thesis-related publications: