| ID | 188206 |
| Title Proper | How strategic is “asymmetric” strategic partnership? Japan’s partnership diplomacy toward Cambodia and Laos |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Koga, Kei |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | I argue that the asymmetric strategic partnership (ASP) between a regional great power and a small power is not necessarily based on their shared goals, but such a partnership would help them achieve their own strategic objectives. For a regional great power, an ASP helps prevent a weak partner from excessively depending on a rival state for its economy and security. For a small power, the partnership increases the legitimacy of domestic political regime while offering a strategic option to hedge against the risk of over-dependence on a particular state by diversifying political and economic assistance. In short, ASPs serve as a wedge strategy for a regional great power, while it functions as a hedging strategy for a smaller power. I apply this conceptual framework to analyze two cases, the Japan-Cambodia and Japan-Laos strategic partnerships. |
| `In' analytical Note | Asian Security Vol. 18, No.2, May-Aug-Apr 2022: p.93-118 |
| Journal Source | Asian Security Vol: 18 No 2 |
| Key Words | Asymmetric Strategic Partnership ; Japan’s Partnership Diplomacy ; Cambodia and Laos |