AbstractJapan as an Energy Coordinator in Asia

Japan has long been one of Asia’s largest energy-consuming nations, yet it has rarely played a role in shaping the structure of regional energy flows. Its energy strategy has focused on procurement and price stability rather than system design. This assumption became increasingly untenable around 2025, as heightened geopolitical risks in maritime routes surrounding Taiwan exposed the structural vulnerability of Japan’s energy imports. Energy security began to shift from an issue of efficiency to one of resilience. This paper explores whether Japan can move beyond its traditional role as a market taker and function instead as a structural coordinator of Asian energy stability. Focusing on Alaska LNG as a strategic starting point, the study examines how geopolitical positioning, alliance-based supply reliability, and market architecture can be integrated to redesign regional energy flows. The paper proposes a dual-node model that separates physical energy infrastructure and market functions, while linking them institutionally. Rather than pursuing dominance or exclusion, this framework emphasizes coordination through transparent rules, demand-side design, and alliance structures. The paper argues that under the conditions that emerged in 2025, Japan has a realistic opportunity to act as an energy coordinator in Asia, contributing to regional stability through system design rather than control.