Koizumi's mission<\/p>\n
There was a time when newly elected Japanese leaders went on
\ntheir pilgrimage of ASEAN countries bearing generous aid packages
\nfor its less well-off Southeast Asian neighbors. Because Japan is
\nmired in deep recession, the custom has changed.<\/p>\n
(Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi) comes bearing an all-
\nencompassing proposal to strengthen Japan's economic ties with
\nSoutheast Asia. He envisions an open economic relationship which
\nlinks Japan with ASEAN, China, South Korea, Australia, New
\nZealand and the United States. This is a big, inclusive concept
\nwhich leaves no one important out. Can Japan deliver?<\/p>\n
Japan is responding to China's move to establish the world's
\nlargest free-trade area with ASEAN. This sort of competition
\ngives ground for cautious optimism. It is inconceivable that
\nTokyo is content to stand back and watch its perceived economic
\ninfluence wane because it is outdone by Beijing.<\/p>\n
If Tokyo is to foster closer ties with Southeast Asia, it
\ncannot get too preoccupied with its own economic morass and let
\nChina pass it by. Its \"new age\" economic partnership with
\nSingapore is a good model. But Tokyo is reluctant to take
\nchances. Which is why the Japanese have to be stung into action,
\nin this case by the Chinese initiative, to open up.<\/p>\n
Tokyo should thus be bold and imaginative to, in Mr Koizumi's
\nwords, \"build an economic community with the ASEAN countries that
\ncarries some sense of oneness\". Yes, proceed step by step, but
\nthere must be no doubts about moving decisively for regional
\neconomic integration. Would he be the one to break the mold and
\nget things started?<\/p>\n
-- The Straits Times, Singapore<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/koizumis-mission-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }