Japan seeks sincere partnership in East Asia

Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister, Japan

Part 1 of 2

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 10 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.

The above is based on the address of the Prime Minister at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies on Jan. 14.