Converging Strategies: India-Japan Hard and Soft Balancing in the Indo-Pacific (2007-2025)

This hybrid seminar, part of the Indo-Pacific Policy Dialogue Series hosted by YCAPS, explores the evolution of India–Japan strategic cooperation from 2007 to 2025 through the dual lenses of hard and soft balancing. Stephen Nagy and László Csicsman will examine how both nations have used military and non-military tools to respond to China’s rise while managing complex relations with the United States. Drawing on power indices such as the Asia Power Index and Comprehensive National Power framework, their analysis highlights five key phases of cooperation—from Prime Minister Abe’s “Confluence of the Two Seas” speech to the present. The event argues that India and Japan’s approaches reflect complementary balancing strategies that go beyond mere counterbalancing, aiming instead to construct a multipolar Indo-Pacific characterized by “soft” or “quasi-multi-alignment.” Together, these efforts diffuse regional power away from Chinese centrality toward multiple poles—India, ASEAN, Japan–South Korea, and Australia–New Zealand—while maintaining the U.S. as a vital but non-hegemonic actor. Dr. Sato Yoichiro (Ritsumeikan APU) and Dr. Saroj Kumar Rath (University of Delhi) will provide critical feedback before taking questions and comments from the audience.

Please use this link to RSVP for in-person attendance

Please use this link to RSVP for the Zoom attendance

Schedule :

16:00: Seminar Start

17:30: Seminar End

17:35: A happy hour-style social gathering will follow the seminar at a nearby location.

Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Time: 16:00 (JST)

Language: English

Venue: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU Tokyo), Sapia Tower, 1 Chome-7-12 Marunouchi, Sapia Tower 8F, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 100-0005

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jobvkbnsKuHrTuzQ8

Speakers:

Dr. Stephen R. Nagy is Professor of Politics and International Studies at the International Christian University in Tokyo, Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), and Director of Policy Studies at YCAPS. His work focuses on geopolitics, multilateralism, and Indo-Pacific security.

Dr. László Csicsmann is a Professor at Corvinus University of Budapest and Head of the Corvinus Center for Contemporary Asia Studies. His research examines Asian regionalism, soft balancing, and strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

Discussants:

Dr. Saroj Kumar Rath is an Assistant Professor at the University of Delhi. His research focuses on India’s foreign policy, maritime security, and regional cooperation, particularly the evolution of India–Japan strategic relations.

Dr. Sato Yoichiro is Professor in the College of Asia Pacific Studies and the Dean of International Cooperation and Research at Asia-Pacific University. He researches and writes in several areas, including (in an order of frequency) Japanese foreign and security policy, maritime affairs, U.S. foreign policy and strategy, and international political economy.

Cost: Free of charge

Format: This event will be off-the-record. Questions are encouraged.

Registration: Please use this link to RSVP for in-person attendance. Use this link to RSVP for the Zoom attendance

Co-Sponsors: APU Tokyo