Japan and ASEAN in East Asia - A Sincere and Open Partnership
Japan and ASEAN in East Asia - A Sincere and Open Partnership
Speech by Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi
January 14, 2002
Singapore
Today I would like to speak about cooperation between Japan
and ASEAN and my concept of how this cooperation can contribute
to all of East Asia.
Let me begin by defining what cooperation truly is.
Cooperation is working in common purpose with others in order to
accomplish more. In the simplest terms, this is what I would
like to see Japan and ASEAN accomplish-more prosperity, more
peace, more understanding, more trust. This cooperation requires
an exchange of ideas, opinions and people.
The exchanges between Japan and Southeast Asia, of course,
also include more formal and diplomatic exchanges. Twenty-five
years ago in 1977, then-Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda made a speech
in Manila, citing "equal partnership" and "heart-to-heart
understanding" between Japan and ASEAN. Based on the fundamental
concepts of the "Fukuda Speech," Japan's ASEAN policies have been
passed on from that time to each subsequent Cabinet. I, too, am
eager to promote such policies.
In the quarter-century since the "Fukuda Speech," the global
situation has undergone tremendous change. In Southeast Asia,
peace has progressed with the resolution of conflicts in
Indochina, resulting in the expansion of ASEAN to ten countries.
Democratization and a market economy are also progressing in
Asia. The People's Republic of China and Taiwan have joined the
WTO. Furthermore, as a result of the terrorist attacks on the
United States, we've seen a paradigm shift in security concepts,
making patently clear the importance of working together for the
sake of peace and stability.
In the 21st century, the changes confronting Japan and ASEAN
will be even more swift and momentous. We must face such changes
with unflinching resolve and courage. And we must face them
together.
Despite enduring difficult trials in the midst of economic
globalization, despite living in different stages of economic
development, despite a diversity of backgrounds, all of the ASEAN
countries increasingly share the basic values of democracy and
market economy. Efforts to harmonize the region's diverse
histories, societies, cultures and religions have reaped a
greater good for all.
I believe that Japan has made a contribution in strengthening
the countries of ASEAN. True to the old adage, "A friend in need
is a friend indeed," Japan at the time of Asia's financial crisis
played a role in easing that crisis. We viewed the situation not
just as your challenge but as our own. I believe that Japan-
ASEAN relations have reached a new level of maturity and
understanding. In the 21st century, as sincere and open
partners, Japan and ASEAN should strengthen their cooperation
under the basic concept of "acting together--advancing together."
So, what are the areas where we should focus our cooperation
as we "act together--advance together?"
First, by undertaking reforms in our respective countries, we
will advance individually and jointly toward increased
prosperity.
During the mid-19th century, Japan underwent major reforms for
modernization known as the Meiji Restoration. At the end of
World War II, Japan conducted major reforms based on democracy.
Now, in order to adapt to radical changes in the international
community of the 21st century, I am convinced that Japan must
undergo a "third major reform." Since my appointment as Prime
Minister, I have been tackling such reform under the banner of
"structural reform without sanctuaries." I know that no great
reform is accomplished without pain and resistance. I also know
that the countries of ASEAN are awaiting Japan's structural
reform and the subsequent return of a dynamic Japanese economy.
I realize that when it comes to the global economy, rain does not
fall on one roof alone.
The reason that the Japanese economy stagnated for such a long
period in the 1990s is clear. Japan's previous success had made
us complacent. Despite the significant changes taking place in
the global economy, Japan failed to respond by reforming its
political and economic structures. Information and
communications technologies have rapidly created a single,
unified global market. Competition has become much more severe.
To succeed under such conditions, a country needs a free and
efficient market that can be trusted by global investors and
consumers alike. It needs a strong and healthy financial market.
These challenges are as important for the countries of ASEAN
as they are for Japan. The Asian financial crisis showed us that
the ASEAN countries also required new economic structures.
Change is not easy for individuals or for countries. Someone
once said that courage is the power to let go of the familiar-and
that is what we must do. As I mentioned a moment ago, reform
will inevitably be accompanied by pain, which eventually will be
succeeded by sustainable prosperity.
Japan is ready to support ASEAN's serious efforts of reform.
Specifically, Japan offers its cooperation to improve
legislation, administrative capabilities and nation-building
measures. We offer our help to improve the capabilities of each
country to compete economically and to participate in a
multilateral trading system based on the WTO. We also offer our
cooperation in developing a healthy financial system, which is to
a country what the circulatory system is to the human body.
Japan will continue to cooperate in such areas as Mekong
Subregion Development so that Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam
may accelerate their economic development. It is also important
that we continue to cooperate in information and communications
technology, which contributes to the integration of ASEAN.
Through the swift realization of an ASEAN Free Trade Area and an
ASEAN Investment Area, ASEAN should continue to be an attractive
place of investment for Japanese companies. To this end, the
promotion of supporting industries is also an important part of
our cooperation.
The second point is to continue and strengthen our cooperation
for the sake of stability.
Instability is not always elsewhere. Sometimes it is at home.
Factors for instability are also in the region. Japan for many
years now has been the largest contributor of foreign aid in the
world. In Southeast Asia, Japan would like to actively cooperate
in reducing poverty and preventing conflicts, in such cases as
Mindanao, Aceh and East Timor. In particular, by the spring of
this year Japan will dispatch a Self Defense Force Engineer Unit
to Peace-Keeping Operations in East Timor.
In recent years, Japan has begun to fulfill its international
obligations, such as peace-keeping missions. We have dispatched
Self Defense Forces to help in Cambodia, Mozambique, Zaire and
the Golan Heights. And, in cooperation with the countries of
ASEAN, we intend to make an even more active contribution to
ensure regional stability here in Southeast Asia. The ASEAN
Regional Forum has made steady progress in building confidence
and trust on security matters. Now is the time to aim for a
higher degree of cooperation. Japan is eager to consider how
together we can develop this forum for the future.
Efforts towards democratization in Myanmar must also be
accelerated, and this is an endeavor that we fully support.
Together, Japan and ASEAN must also tackle a variety of
transnational issues such as terrorism, piracy, energy security,
infectious diseases, the environment, narcotics and trafficking
in people. These ancient and modern ills represent a major
challenge to us all.
Japan-ASEAN cooperation must extend its reach globally. I
believe we should increase our cooperation on such issues as
peace and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan, measures for
disarmament and non-proliferation and reform of the United
Nations. We have a role to play in the world, and we should play
it. In particular, I hope to see active participation on the
part of the countries of ASEAN at the Ministerial Conference on
Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan to be held in Tokyo on
21 and 22 January. In the recent past, the people of Southeast
Asia have suffered from war and violence; so they well understand
the hardship that the people of Afghanistan have endured for so
many years.
A third area of cooperation between Japan and the countries of
ASEAN relates to the future. I would like to propose initiatives
in five areas.
One, we must focus on education and human resources
development, which form the foundation for national development.
I would like to dispatch a governmental mission to ASEAN
countries to promote exchange and cooperation between
universities. Some Japanese universities have already opened
courses in English as well as Japanese language courses for
students in ASEAN by utilizing the Internet. Through such
efforts I expect that university exchanges will develop. I would
also like to continue the training of information and
communications technology engineers in both Japan and ASEAN in
order to enhance practical opportunities in the region. In
addition, I emphasize the importance of the institution building
and capacity building in governance, as well as the promotion of
supporting industries.
Two, I propose that 2003 be designated as the Year of Japan-
ASEAN Exchange. We should present a number of ideas to stimulate
exchanges in all areas, including intellectual and cultural. I
also believe it would be useful to strengthen the network that
links research institutions in Japan and ASEAN countries.
Three, I would like to propose an Initiative for Japan-ASEAN
Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Of course, we will cooperate
in the new round of multilateral trade negotiations under the
WTO. At the same time, we must strengthen broad ranged economic
partnership by stretching further than trade and investment--to
such areas as science and technology, human resource development
and tourism. The Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New
Age Partnership, which was signed yesterday, is an example of
such economic partnership. I would like to see us generate
concrete proposals for endorsement at the Japan-ASEAN Summit
Meeting.
Four, in order to pursue development in a new era, I propose
the convening of an Initiative for Development in East Asia
meeting. Based on East Asia's development experiences to date,
my hope is that such a meeting would provide an opportunity for
us to reexamine where we are and to consider together future
models for development-thus raising the standard of living for
the peoples of the region.
Five, I propose that Japan and ASEAN security cooperation,
including transnational issues such as terrorism, be drastically
intensified. Now, more than ever, we realize that one's own
security is at stake when a neighbor's wall is ablaze. I believe
we need an agreement for regional cooperation on piracy, and I
will promote consultation to achieve that end. We must band
together to eradicate the plague of piracy. In addition, I would
like to strengthen cooperation between the Coast Guard of Japan
and ASEAN counterparts. I also wish to promote regional
cooperation in strengthening energy security, in light of the gap
between rapid increase of energy demand and lagging energy supply
within Asia.
Finally, let me turn to how cooperation between Japan and
ASEAN should be linked to cooperation with all of East Asia. I
believe that East Asia's whole can be greater than the sum of its
parts.
If you took a poll of the world's economists and asked them
what region of the world they believe to have the greatest
potential in the immediate future, I have no doubt of their
answer. They would say East Asia. By cooperating, I believe we
can gain the critical mass to advance this potential.
Our goal should be the creation of a "community that acts
together and advances together." And we should achieve this
through expanding East Asia cooperation founded upon the Japan-
ASEAN relationship. While recognizing our historical, cultural,
ethnic and traditional diversity, I would like to see countries
in the region become a group that works together in harmony. Our
pasts may be varied and divergent, but our futures can be united
and supportive of each other. The realization of such a group
needs strategic considerations in order to produce positive
consequences. And in order to contribute to global challenges,
we must play a role in linking our region to the world.
Certainly, such an objective cannot be achieved overnight.
The first step is to make the best use of the framework of
ASEAN+3. We should promote cooperation on the broad range of
areas that I have been discussing today, in order to secure
prosperity and stability in our region.
The deepening of Japan's cooperation with China and the
Republic of Korea will also be a significant force in propelling
this community. The Trilateral Meeting of the leaders of Japan,
China and the Republic of Korea set some wonderful precedents. I
would like to highly praise the active role China is willing to
play in regional cooperation. With its wealth of human resources
and huge economic potential, China will surely make an enormous
contribution to regional development. In addition, I would like
to express my respect for the Republic of Korea's dynamic
initiatives in promoting regional cooperation. I can confirm
that the three leaders of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea
are resolved to cooperate with each other; because we all know
that our trilateral cooperation will make great contribution to
prosperity of the region.
An important challenge is strengthening economic partnership
in the region. The Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive
Economic Partnership that I mentioned earlier will be an
important platform for this purpose. I expect that the ASEAN-
China Free Trade Area and moves toward economic partnership
between ASEAN and Australia and New Zealand will make similar
contributions.
If one considers the specific challenges to be tackled in the
region, it is only natural that these countries will deepen their
partnerships with each other.
Through this cooperation, I expect that the countries of
ASEAN, Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New
Zealand will be core members of such a community.
The community I am proposing should be by no means an
exclusive entity. Indeed, practical cooperation in the region
would be founded on close partnership with those outside the
region. In particular, the role to be played by the United
States is indispensable because of its contribution to regional
security and the scale of its economic interdependence with the
region. Japan will continue to enhance its alliance with the
United States. Cooperation with Southwest Asia, including India,
is also of importance, as is cooperation with the Pacific nations
through APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group, and
with Europe through ASEM, the Asia-Europe Meeting. APEC and ASEM
are important tools to link our region to other regions.
Through such efforts, the community I have described can take
meaningful actions for regional cooperation. I believe that this
in turn will benefit global stability and prosperity.
Let me summarize by using an analogy. I am a great fan of
opera. To me, the appeal of opera lies in the fact that a myriad
of singers and instruments, each possessed of different qualities
of voice and sound, against the backdrop of a grand stage and
beautiful costumes, come together in one complete and impressive
drama. The community that I have outlined today is exactly such
a creation. As we "act together and advance together," let us in
concert compose a harmonious community of many voices raised for
the greater good.