Japan’s Sea Lane Security, 1940–2004: A Matter of Life and Death?

As the first English-language analysis of its kind, Graham’s comprehensive case study fills a critical gap in the literature concerning the maritime dimension of Japanese national security. This is an exciting issue at a dynamic time: in October 2004, Japan’s Maritime Self- Defense Force (MSDF) and coast guard led Northeast Asia’s first Proliferation Security Initiative exercise. In the In- dian Ocean, the MSDF is currently fuel- ling allied vessels to support operations in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Japan is struggling to assert control over its ex- clusive economic zones, the boundaries of which are increasingly contested by China and South Korea