Kuala Lampur, Sept. 24 -- Japan's recent delivery of fourteen unmanned aerial vehicles and seven rescue boats to Malaysia under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme is far more than a symbolic gesture.

It is a demonstration of defensive diplomacy in action, underscoring Tokyo's determination to help Southeast Asian states strengthen their resilience in the South China Sea while reinforcing the idea that security of this contested waterway is not merely a national concern, but a global public good. One just as important to the peace in the East China Sea.

At any rate, the OSA marks a significant evolution in Japan's post-war security posture.

For decades, Japan refrained from exporting defence equipment or providing direct s...