Japan seeks sinere partnership in East Asia

Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister, Japan

Part 2 of 2

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 Jan. 21-22. 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. I would also 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 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 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.

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