Kuala Lampur, Jan. 2 -- Japan's decision to more than double its Official Security Assistance (OSA) allocation in fiscal year 2026-to approximately US$117 million (RM474 million)-marks a significant yet often misunderstood shift in Tokyo's regional engagement strategy.

It must be explained before it is exaggerated as a threat based assistance against any parties, which when left uncontrolled, can lead to a self fulfilling prophecy. Allowing the latter to happen would be devastating.

At first glance, the move to double Japanese OSA has been interpreted by some observers through the familiar lens of strategic competition, particularly in relation to China and maritime disputes in the Indo-Pacific.

Such readings, however, miss the deeper ...