Seminar: Transparency and Counter-Coercion at Sea―How Capacity-Building Initiatives are Paying Dividends in Maritime Southeast Asia

The Economic Security Intelligence Lab (ESIL) at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, is pleased to host a public seminar titled “Transparency and Counter-Coercion at Sea: How Capacity-Building Initiatives are Paying Dividends in Maritime Southeast Asia.”

How does transparent accounting of events and confrontations at sea support efforts aimed at promoting a rules-based maritime order? How can governments safeguard their institutions and the public from foreign malign influence operations that seek to confuse their people, poison political discourse, and make outright violations of international law seem acceptable and coercion, justifiable? What are the intersections of economic security and maritime security, including the application of critical technologies at sea, the protection of offshore infrastructure, and the disruption of supply chains through contested sea lanes? Finally, how are the various capacity-building efforts by Japan, Australia, the United States, France, Canada and other like-minded states related to promoting maritime domain awareness and law enforcement at sea contribute to greater stability and security in Southeast Asian waters?

This seminar features Dr. Jay Tristan Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard, a leading practitioner in maritime transparency and counter-coercion, and Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel, Associate Professor of International Security at Tokyo International University, who brings deep academic expertise on the subject. Together, their complementary perspectives offer a valuable opportunity to understand how the Philippines - and Southeast Asia more broadly - perceive and respond to these pressing maritime challenges. Akira Igata will moderate the panel and offer the Japanese perspective on maritime security cooperation, economic security, and efforts to enhance transparency, protect maritime supply chains, and counter economic coercion in the region.

The seminar will be conducted in English, and pre-registration is required to participate.

Notes for participants
- For security reasons, no dangerous materials or food/beverages are allowed inside the venue. Please follow staff instructions during the event.
- Please present your valid photo ID (e.g., student ID or driver’s license) at the reception desk on the day of the event. For security reasons, participants who do not provide complete and accurate information regarding their identity, affiliation, and position may not be admitted.

Language: English