Japan faces a rapidly changing international environment. Asia is shifting from an era of peace and prosperity to one of contestation and great power rivalry. North Korea's nuclear ambitions are unsettling the region. Xi Jinping's China is more confident, assertive and nationalistic than ever and uncertainty lingers of the role of Japan's security partner, the United States.

In response to these changes and challenges Japan has set out to change its foreign and defence policy and is seeking a greater regional and global influence. It is taking on a greater role in regional security matters including increasing security co-operation with Australia.

What role is Japan seeking to play? How will it carve out space for itself in a region dominated by giant powers? And how will the region respond to a Japan that plays a greater role?

Nobuhiro Aizawa is an expert in Japanese international relations and southeast Asian politics. He is an Associate Professor at the Center for Asia-Pacific Future Studies at Kyushu University.

Nick Bisley is the Executive Director of La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University.

Introduced by Yoshimitsu Kawata, Deputy Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne. The event was held at the State Library of Victoria on 28th February, 2018.