Japan doubles down on Asia’s defence by expanding budget, reach of security aid scheme

Japan is set to significantly expand its Official Security Assistance (OSA) scheme across South-east Asia, as the initiative enters its fourth year with mounting momentum and support. Assoc Prof Kei Koga, who heads the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, told ST that the increasing OSA budget “demonstrates Japan’s willingness to contribute to maintaining the status quo in the Indo-Pacific without rapidly disrupting the regional balance of power”. “OSA will help empower regional states to become more self-reliant in the security domain, while fostering a security environment in which Japan is seen as a supportive and reliable partner in times of global turbulence,” he said, noting this would help build long-term strategic trust in Japan.

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