This is the first major English-language study to explore the broad and longstanding connections between Japans national security and the safety of its sea lanes. Tracing issues from pre-and post-1945 eras, the book explores how Japans concerns with sea lane protection have developed across such diverse fields as military strategy, diplomacy, trade policy, energy security, and law enforcement.

Drawing upon case study material and primary research including interviews with officials and security analysts, the book presents a chronological analysis of Japans sea lane security. While Japans security policies have recently undergone relatively rapid change, a historical treatment of sea lane security issues reveals long-term continuity in security policymakers perceptions and responses regarding Japan's defence and foreign policy.

Revealing a neglected but important aspect of Japans military and economic security, the book investigates why officials and analysts continue to portray the defence of Japans sea lanes as a matter of life and death.