Abstract: Given by a special geographical location, offshore balancers can balance powers by shirking responsibility and building balance leagues, and maintain the balance of powers towards mainland and expand their own power. With the rise of China, Japan’s awareness of containing China in security has boosted unprecedentedly, they also take actions actively to form balancing strategy towards China. In current Asiapacific situation, Japan’s action of balancing China conforms to the general pattern of offshore balancer. Japan shrinks responsibility in the frame of USJapan Alliance, and contains China geographically by using the surrounding powers such as India and ASEAN countries in order to guarantee its security and expand its power. Japan also builds up an alliance with the Asiapacific nations to balance the power of China. However, Japan’s strategy faced with some dilemmas, its goal of balancing China won’t be achieved smoothly. China should realize the nature of Japan’s strategy and the dilemmas it faces accurately, and then cope with it positively.

Key words: Japan secure strategy, balance against China, offshore balance, power balance