Relations between the Gulf region and Japan are developing over a wide are of common interests. While primarily defined within the context of energy ties and economic trade, Japan is beginning to look at the region from a variety of additional perspectives including what kind of security policy Japan should pursue when it comes to the volatile Gulf region. The purpose of this workshop will be to explore in more detail the dynamics that define Japanese security policy and to analyze the perspectives that are presenting themselves for the GCC states in this regard.