Leaning Seaward
Japan as a Maritime Great Power
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Yale University Press
Publishing:7th Jul '26
£50.00
This title is due to be published on 7th July, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
An examination of Japan’s maritime resurgence in an age of strategic competition
This book is the first to examine Japan as a comprehensive maritime power in the twenty-first century and to consider what that status means in an age of great power competition. Geoffrey F. Gresh argues that Japan has grown its maritime capabilities and influence across an array of economic, industrial, and security sectors throughout the Indo-Pacific and is vital to both regional and international stability.
Given Japan’s position as a harbinger state confronting many macro trends—such as China’s rise, an aging population, and climate change—Gresh draws critical lessons for other industrialized nations. Grasping how Japan envisions, invests in, and wields its diverse tools of maritime power and statecraft is essential to understanding its pursuit of a strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
“Leaning Seaward offers a kaleidoscopic view of Japan’s rise as a maritime great power, shedding light on its geography, economy and trade, industry and infrastructure, and strategy. It is a must-read for those interested in the newly emerging maritime order of the Indo-Pacific.”—Narushige Michishita, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo
“At a time when Japan’s responsibilities as a maritime power are increasingly visible, Leaning Seaward offers an informed look at how its decisions in the maritime domain are affecting both regional stability and global expectations. Gresh’s analysis is grounded, timely, and directly relevant to today’s policy debates.”—Kono Taro, former Japanese Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Digital Minister
“With the world’s third-largest navy and a coastline longer than America’s, Japan knows that its national identity and fate will hinge on its ability to keep the seas free and open. In this excellent volume, Gresh lays out the stakes and the key developments by which Japan is asserting agency over its maritime destiny.”—Matt Pottinger, former US deputy national security advisor and distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution
“Leaning Seaward is a fascinating look at how Japan is reclaiming its place as a maritime great power in the twenty-first century. Geoffrey Gresh brings history, strategy, and contemporary politics together in a vivid account of how the oceans are reshaping Japan’s role in the world.”—Admiral James Stavridis (ret.), 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, author of The Restless Wave, and coauthor of 2084
“Leaning Seaward offers a timely and comprehensive analysis of Japan’s strategic maritime transformation in the 21st century. Japan’s emergence as a maritime great power is not merely a narrative of defense and diplomacy—it is a testament to innovation, resilience, and strategic foresight. This volume is essential reading for policymakers, scholars, and anyone seeking to understand the evolving dynamics of maritime security and economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”—Atsushi Sunami, president, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
ISBN: 9780300279757
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
384 pages