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HOME > EXPERT SPE AK > WHY THE TSUSHIMA STR AIT IS VITAL FOR NORTHE AST ASIA’S GEOPOLITICS

RAISINA DEBATES MAR 23 2023

PRATNASHREE BASU

Why the Tsushima Strait is vital for Northeast Asia’s geopolitics

The heightened geopolitical rivalry between US, China, and Russia has raised the

strategic importance of the Strait as a vital maritime shipping route

GEOPOLITICS INDO-PACIFIC MARITIME SECURITY MITIGATION NORTHEAST ASIA

SOUTH KOREA TSUSHIMA STRAIT

The Tsushima strait, also known as the Eastern Channel of the Korea Strait, sits at a

critical crossroads of Northeast Asia, which is home to some of the world’s largest

economies, such as Japan, South Korea, and China. The 243-kilometre-long Tsushima

Strait is a narrow waterway that connects South Korea and Japan, two key middle

powers in the Indo-Pacific, and acts as a point of entry to the Sea of Japan, which some

see as a strategic backdoor to Russia and China. It is a crucial maritime passage for all

four countries and shipping routes connecting Asia to Europe pass through it, making

it significant in the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia, with millions of tons of

cargo passing through it each year. This makes it an important chokepoint for global

trade, particularly for the G20 nations, which collectively account for around 75

percent of global trade. Because ROK and Japan agreed to a 3nm territorial sea

(instead of 12nm per the UNCLOS), 17nm of the 23nm wide Strait is designated as

international high seas.

The strait also serves as a major transit route for military vessels and aircraft, and it is a

critical location for surveillance and intelligence gathering. In addition to its economic,

Why the Tsushima Strait is vital for Northeast Asia’s geopolitics | ORF https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/why-the-tsushima-strait-is-vital-...

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security, and cultural importance, the Tsushima Strait also has significant

environmental significance. The strait’s unique geography and ocean currents make it

an essential habitat for a diverse range of marine species. The strait is home to many

endangered species, including the Korean sturgeon, the Japanese eel, and the Black

Sea bream. The strait’s waters are also a crucial spawning ground for many fish species,

making it an essential area for fisheries and aquaculture.

The strait’s unique geography and ocean currents make it an essential habitat for a

diverse range of marine species. 

Who is the Strait important for?

Prima facie, the Tsushima Strait is most important as the primary marine route for

Japan’s oil imports. The Tsushima Strait is crucial for the country’s energy security as

more than 90 percent of Tokyo’s oil and gas imports pass through this strait. Japan’s

economy is significantly dependent on oil imports, and almost all of this oil comes from

the Middle East, travelling through the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea

before crossing the Tsushima Strait and entering the East China Sea. As a result, any

interruption to the oil flow via the strait might substantially impact Japan’s economy

and energy security. Japan’s western ports, including Fukuoka, are connected to the

rest of the globe via the Tsushima strait and form a crucial part of the SLOCs between

Honshu and Kyushu, and trade routes from the Seto Inland Sea, via the nearby Kanmon

Strait. Japan’s Maritime Safety Agency is responsible for patrolling and protecting the

waters around the strait, ensuring the safety and security of Japanese citizens and

assets.

South Korea’s economy is heavily dependent on maritime trade, with the bulk of its

exports and imports transported by sea via the Tsushima Strait, especially to Japan,

China, and Southeast Asia. The majority of South Korea’s shipping routes pass through

the Tsushima Strait, particularly trade with the United States (US) West Coast ports like

Seattle and San Francisco. Tsushima Island, which lies at the centre of the strait, has a

long history of cultural and economic exchange with the Korean Peninsula. The island

played a significant role in the relations between Korea and Japan during the Choseon

Dynasty and has been the site of several historic battles.

The Tsushima Strait’s strategic position as a gateway to the Sea of Japan and the

Pacific Ocean is among the most important factors contributing to its significance to

the US.

The Tsushima Strait is crucial for maintaining the region’s peace and security because

the US is a significant ally of Japan. The Tsushima Strait’s strategic position as a

gateway to the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean is among the most important

factors contributing to its significance to the US. Being the entry point for the US

military forces and supplies into Japan and also for the maintenance of its military

presence in South Korea since the Korean War, these ports and the Strait are extremely

important to the US. The latter, therefore, has an interest in maintaining freedom of

navigation in the strait, ensuring the safe and uninterrupted movement of its naval

assets.

The Strait is a crucial shipping route for China’s trade with Japan, South Korea, and

other regional nations. As a trading country that primarily relies on maritime

transportation to get its products to markets all over the world, the strait is a vital

transit route for China. The Strait is crucial for China’s naval strategy in Northeast Asia

as it allows Beijing to project its naval force beyond its immediate coastline. China

Why the Tsushima Strait is vital for Northeast Asia’s geopolitics | ORF https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/why-the-tsushima-strait-is-vital-...

3 of 7 5/14/23, 1:36 AM

along with Russia has repeatedly pushed the limits of freedom of navigation and

maritime sovereignty in the Tsushima strait just as Beijing has done in the South and

East China Seas.

The Tsushima Strait is an important strategic location for Russia’s naval access to the

Pacific Ocean. Due to its direct access to East Asian markets, the strait is also a

significant trading route for Russia. Exports of Russian gas and oil to South Korea,

China, and Japan must cross the strait to get there. The Tsushima Strait is also

important for Russia’s diplomatic ties with Japan. The Kuril Islands, which are managed

by Russia and are located to the north of Japan, are the subject of a protracted

territorial dispute between the two nations.

The Strait is crucial for China’s naval strategy in Northeast Asia as it allows Beijing to

project its naval force beyond its immediate coastline.

Threats, mitigation, and partnerships

The Tsushima Strait faces five major threats which have scope for mitigation through

cooperation. First, the narrow and busy strait is susceptible to maritime accidents such

as collisions and groundings that could lead to oil spills and other environmental

disasters. To reduce the risk of accidents and incidents, the countries in the region

have set up a system for the exchange of information on maritime traffic and weather

conditions. To increase maritime safety and stop such accidents, the nations have also

established protocols for incident reporting and investigations.

Second, there are ongoing territorial disputes between Japan and South Korea over

the ownership of several islets in the strait. These disputes have the potential to

escalate into armed conflicts, which could threaten the safety and security of the

strait. The dispute over the Liancourt Rocks has a long history dating back to the early

20th century and has broader implications for the relationship between Japan and

South Korea, and also for regional stability.

Climate change has the potential to cause significant changes to ocean currents and

weather patterns, which could affect the safety and navigability of the strait.

Third, North Korea’s military activities pose a significant threat to the strait. The

country’s navy is known to conduct submarine operations in the area, and its missile

tests have also been launched from the region, raising concerns about the safety of

shipping in the area. Fourth, the strait is a vital fishing ground, and illegal fishing by

Chinese and North Korean vessels has been a persistent problem. This not only

threatens the sustainability of the fisheries but also poses risks to the safety of

legitimate fishing vessels. Fifth, climate change has the potential to cause significant

changes to ocean currents and weather patterns, which could affect the safety and

navigability of the strait. Rising sea levels and increased storm activity could also lead

to coastal erosion and damage to critical infrastructure such as ports and shipping

lanes. Countries in the region have established a mechanism for the monitoring and

management of marine pollution, including oil spills and other hazardous substances,

including the establishment of response plans and the coordination of resources and

personnel to minimize the impact of pollution on the marine environment.

For boosting maritime security, a shared platform for exchanging intelligence and

coordinating responses to security threats has been established by the region’s

nations. This includes the coordination of naval patrols and surveillance operations as

well as the sharing of information on piracy, smuggling, and other security issues.

Why the Tsushima Strait is vital for Northeast Asia’s geopolitics | ORF https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/why-the-tsushima-strait-is-vital-...

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The strategic importance of the Strait as a vital maritime shipping route is heightened

in the context of the uncertainties posed due to geopolitical tensions between the US,

China, and Russia which in turn could also intensify pre-existing tensions among Japan-

ROK; Japan-Russia; and Japan-China. Ensuring safe and free passage via the Tsushima

Strait is, therefore, an important component of maritime security efforts which are

part of the Indo-Pacific frameworks of cooperation.

The views expressed above belong to the author(s).

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Set up in 1990, ORF seeks to lead and aid policy thinking towards building a strong and prosperous India in a fair and equitable world. It helps discover and inform India’s choices, and carries Indian voices and ideas to forums shaping global debates. ORF provides non-partisan, independent analyses and inputs on matters of security, strategy, economy, development, energy, resources and global governance to diverse decision-makers (governments, business communities, academia, civil society). ORF’s mandate is to conduct in-depth research, provide inclusive platforms and invest in tomorrow’s thought leaders today.

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Why the Tsushima Strait is vital for Northeast Asia’s geopolitics | ORF https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/why-the-tsushima-strait-is-vital-...

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