12-04-2005, 10:40 AM
<b>Japan should boost ties with ASEAN, India</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Yomiuri Shimbun
<b>The power game is going to be more intense than ever over the East Asia Summit meeting, which opens on Dec. 14 in Malaysia.</b>
East Asia is currently undergoing major political and economic changes, with the emergence of China and India as regional powers. Japan's Asia policy must be more strategic if it wishes to engage actively in the creation of a new regional order.
Sixteen countries are to attend the summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur, including Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Three members--the 10 ASEAN countries plus Japan, China and South Korea--along with Australia, India and New Zealand.
China was the most passionate about the summit, considering it the first step toward the formation of an "East Asian community." Early last year, it even proposed hosting the summit in Beijing.
However, some destabilizing factors exist for the region's security, including North Korea and the Taiwan Strait. East Asian countries also have major differences in their political systems.
As a result, the creation of an East Asian community, including security and political aspects, is not yet realistic.
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>India won't be left out </b>
<b>India's dismay over China's change of policy means that New Delhi will not allow an East Asian regional order to be formed without its inclusion. </b>
Both Japan and China were last month admitted simultaneously as associate members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation led by India. Though China initially expressed its wish to join the regional grouping, <b>India reportedly insisted that China could be only admitted if Japan also joined.</b>
<b>India is apparently trying to cooperate with Japan to put pressure on China. </b>
Japan has to enhance bilateral relations with India by accelerating negotiations toward the conclusion of a free trade agreement. It also is important for Tokyo to deepen its cooperation with New Delhi in forming a regional order in East Asia.
Not a few members of ASEAN are concerned with China's growing influence in the region. Japan should deepen its ties with them much further.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 4)
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<b>The power game is going to be more intense than ever over the East Asia Summit meeting, which opens on Dec. 14 in Malaysia.</b>
East Asia is currently undergoing major political and economic changes, with the emergence of China and India as regional powers. Japan's Asia policy must be more strategic if it wishes to engage actively in the creation of a new regional order.
Sixteen countries are to attend the summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur, including Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Three members--the 10 ASEAN countries plus Japan, China and South Korea--along with Australia, India and New Zealand.
China was the most passionate about the summit, considering it the first step toward the formation of an "East Asian community." Early last year, it even proposed hosting the summit in Beijing.
However, some destabilizing factors exist for the region's security, including North Korea and the Taiwan Strait. East Asian countries also have major differences in their political systems.
As a result, the creation of an East Asian community, including security and political aspects, is not yet realistic.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>India won't be left out </b>
<b>India's dismay over China's change of policy means that New Delhi will not allow an East Asian regional order to be formed without its inclusion. </b>
Both Japan and China were last month admitted simultaneously as associate members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation led by India. Though China initially expressed its wish to join the regional grouping, <b>India reportedly insisted that China could be only admitted if Japan also joined.</b>
<b>India is apparently trying to cooperate with Japan to put pressure on China. </b>
Japan has to enhance bilateral relations with India by accelerating negotiations toward the conclusion of a free trade agreement. It also is important for Tokyo to deepen its cooperation with New Delhi in forming a regional order in East Asia.
Not a few members of ASEAN are concerned with China's growing influence in the region. Japan should deepen its ties with them much further.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 4)
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