Japan’s Perspective on Asian Regionalism

by Akiko Fukuda

1M100382-9Mayuko Omura

OutlineIntroduction: Japanese Approach

to Asian RegionalismThe Cold War and Post Cold War

EraDomestic DebatesPerspective on the U.S. Role in

AsiaConclusion by FukudaComments

Multilateralism VS. Bilateralism

1918-1939 Between two world wars

1992 International Peace Cooperation Law

1902-1922 Great Britain

1940-1945 Germany (and Italy)

1952- The U.S. 1991- The end of

Cold War

East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere

http://japanfocus.org/-Janis-Mimura/3657

Policies and OrganizationsIndependent Foreign PolicyUnited Nations Security Council

(UNSC)International Monetary Fund

(IMF)

http://www.apcss.org/about-2/ap-countries/

Two ChallengesReconciling multilateralism and

bilateralismPainful history between Asian

countries

Japan’s role in Asian regionalism and community building

The Cold War EraBilateralism > Regionalism/

Multilateralism1956 Japan joins United NationsThree Pillars of Foreign Policy

Foreign policy centered around UNCloser with Asian nationsCooperation with Western allies

The Fukuda Doctrine “Japan is committed to peace, and rejects

the role of a military power.” “will do its best to consolidate the

relationship of mutual confidence and trust based on "heart-to-heart" understanding with the nations of Southeast Asia.”

“will cooperate positively with ASEAN while aiming at fostering a relationship based on mutual understanding with the countries of Indochina and will thus contribute to the building of peace and prosperity throughout Southeast Asia.”

http://old.asean.or.jp/eng/asean40/fukuda.html

Cold War Era (Cont.)Pre-War Japan

Military powerPolitical powerEconomical power

Post-War Japan (Cold War Era)Bilateral relationsLack of regional solidarity

Post-Cold War EraDevelopment of multiculturalism“Sakamoto Report” from MITIAsian-Pacific regionalism

APEC led by the U.S.East Asian regionalism

non-leadership role in EAEC

1. Democratization of Southeastern countries

2. Globalization3. The Lost Decade

Distanced away especially in the economic sphere

After the Asian Financial Crisis…New Asian Monetary Fund

The New Miyazawa InstituteASEAN Plus Three (APT)

Chian Mai InitiativeThree Issue Papers by Japan

East Asian CommunityEast Asia Summit (EAS)Functional approach

(Continued)“Nikai Initiative” by the Ministry of

Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Comprehensive Economic Partnership in

East Asia (CEPEA)Economic Research Institute for ASEAN

and East Asia (ERIA)Bilateralism

Free-Trade Agreements (FTAs)/Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

ERIA Concept

ERIA

ASEANStrong

Partnership with

Existing Institutions in East

Asia

For Less-Developed Countries

Japan

East Asian

Countries

ASEANASEAN

+6ASEAN

+1ASEAN

+3

Support ASEANt

Policy Recommendations

Contributions

Northeast Asian SecurityASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)

Asian security issuesKorean peninsula security

Six Party TalksKoizumi Junichiro’s visit to

Pyongyang

Key to Asian regionalism/multilateralism

Official Japanese StandpointEconomic interest regionalismLong-tern goal, but ongoing

Economic community FTA/EPA financial and monetary community

stop at economicsFunctional cooperation

to nontraditional security

Japanese GovernmentAgree on the long-term process2005 Diet Policy Speech

Government participationOpen community

Various ministries, different opinionsAPT VS. EAS

APT and EAS will co-existBalancing the benefits and

drawbacks

DebatesFunctional Approach?Universal Values?Functional approach and

universal values?

http://www.mangolanguages.com/blog/language-corner/a-dramatic-lesson-in-critical-thinking/

Perspective on the U.S. RoleJapanese PerspectiveKeep bilateral allianceHard security issuesuniversal values

U.S.’s ResponseSupportive in Japan’s effortWilling to participate

Conclusion of FukudaFive Principals of Asian Regionalism

Bilateral and multiculturalismCooperation and competitionOpen regionalismUniversal valuesFunctional approach

Bilateralism, regionalism, and multiculturalism

Reconcile its past positive contribution to Asia’s future

My Opinion

Strong bilateral relationship between Japan and the U.S.

U.S. welcomed in AsiaU.S. assistance as essential to

Asian RegionalismUniversal approach and

functional approach

THANK YOU !!