Koizumi's Asia vision still sketchy

The Daily Yomiuri, Asia News Network, Tokyo

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is energetically pursuing Japan's diplomacy in Asia. Following his visits to Vietnam, East Timor and Australia, he will travel to New Zealand on Thursday.

His latest visits to countries in the Asia-Oceania region come on the heels of his January trips to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During the latest tour, he has called on other countries to support his vision of creating an "East Asian community" that would include ASEAN and its three East Asian dialog partners -- Japan, China and South Korea. The vision is aimed at raising Japan's profile in Asia.

Specifically, the vision is aimed at creating a "community that acts together and advances together." This is to be achieved by reinforcing various forms of cooperation, including in economic and trade fields, in the Asia-Oceania region, centering on a comprehensive economic partnership between Japan and ASEAN.

Koizumi reemphasized the significance of his vision during his policy speech in Australia.

Other participating countries envisaged under Koizumi's vision include Australia and New Zealand.

During his talks with Koizumi, Australian Prime Minister John Howard welcomed Koizumi's vision and agreed that the two countries would begin vice ministerial-level talks toward building a "constructive partnership" that would enhance exchanges on political, security, economic and other issues.

It is important, from a strategic viewpoint, for Japan, which accounts for 60 percent of the combined gross domestic product of Asian countries, to strengthen its cooperative ties with other Asian countries so that it can play an appropriate role and retain its leadership in the region.

China and the United States are intensifying their efforts to realize bilateral and regional free trade accords. Japan should not fall behind in this regard.

However, there are many issues that need to be settled before such accords can be concluded.

When it comes to establishing a sense of a community, Asian countries, unlike the European Union nations, are highly diverse, culturally and religiously.

Some Asian countries, such as Malaysia, oppose the idea of including Australia and New Zealand in the East Asian community. But it would be similarly unrealistic to exclude the United States, whose presence is essential for regional stability, from the community.

Koizumi said he "believes functional cooperation among East Asian countries would be more effective than setting up new organizations or institutions to build a community," indicating his recognition of the realities in the region.

If so, the question of how to flesh out the prime minister's ideas and make them realities holds the key to the vision's success.

Following the signing of an accord on economic cooperation with Singapore, Japan is negotiating with South Korea and ASEAN countries to conclude similar agreements.

So that these accords can be concluded soon, Koizumi will have to show leadership in such areas as coordinating opinions concerning the contentious agricultural sector.

For Japan to display leadership in achieving the vision of a regional community, it is of paramount importance that the health of the flagging Japanese economy be restored as soon as possible.

Discontent is growing among other Asian countries over the sluggish state of this country's economy, which is supposed to be the engine of the regional economy.

Unless Japan realizes economic recovery, Koizumi's vision will end up a castle in the air.

Joint efforts for regional stability also are essential.

In his policy speech in Australia, Koizumi pointed out the need for such efforts as cooperation in peacekeeping operations in East Timor and in solving such transnational issues as the smuggling of goods and people.

Also in the area of diplomacy, Koizumi's capability is being questioned -- so far, he has little concrete to show for all his fine words.