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Abstract

This paper discusses how fragmented perceptions of threat impact the outcome of international security cooperation. It analyses the impacts of Japan’s expanding security posture in Southeast Asia, specifically focusing on the Japan-China great power rivalry in the region. While previous research has examined Japan’s intention to intensify its security engagement with Southeast Asian countries, this paper aims to study the broader impact of Japan’s expanding security cooperation on the region's security constellation. To achieve this objective, the paper employs Japan-Indonesia security and defence cooperation as a case study. The research found that, despite strengthening bilateral relations, the increasing Japan-Indonesia security cooperation does not alter the Japan-China power balance in the region or Indonesia’s stance on China. This is primarily because Japan and Indonesia hold divergent threat perceptions regarding China. Furthermore, Indonesia maintains its strategic independence and a distinct geostrategic vision. This finding suggests that while intensified security and defence cooperation between states may enhance security capabilities and strengthen bilateral ties, the actual utilisation of those acquired capabilities depends critically on each state’s perception of threat concerning specific security challenges.

Bahasa Abstract

Artikel ini membahas bagaimana perbedaan persepsi ancaman memengaruhi hasil kerja sama keamanan internasional, dengan fokus pada ekspansi postur keamanan Jepang di Asia Tenggara dalam konteks rivalitas Jepang–Tiongkok. Berbeda dari penelitian sebelumnya yang menyoroti intensi Jepang untuk memperkuat keterlibatan keamanannya, penelitian ini menelaah dampak perluasan kerja sama tersebut terhadap konstelasi keamanan kawasan. Sebagai studi kasus, penelitian ini menyoroti kerja sama keamanan dan pertahanan Jepang–Indonesia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun hubungan bilateral kedua negara semakin erat, peningkatan kerja sama tersebut tidak mengubah keseimbangan kekuatan Jepang–Tiongkok maupun sikap Indonesia terhadap Tiongkok. Hal ini terjadi karena Jepang dan Indonesia memiliki persepsi ancaman yang berbeda terhadap Tiongkok. Selain itu, Indonesia mempertahankan independensi strategis serta visi geostrategisnya di kawasan Indo-Pasifik. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa meskipun intensifikasi kerja sama keamanan dapat memperkuat kemampuan pertahanan dan hubungan antarnegara, pemanfaatan kapabilitas yang dihasilkan sangat bergantung pada persepsi masing-masing negara terhadap ancaman. Dengan demikian, fragmentasi persepsi ancaman menjadi faktor penting yang menentukan efektivitas dan arah kerja sama keamanan antarnegara di kawasan.

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