"CEAC Commentary" introduces news analyses andopinions in Japan on topics related to regional
cooperation and integration in East Asia, but they do
not represent the views of CEAC as an institution.

April 15, 2013

Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Should
Discuss how to enhance its Role and Usefulness
By ISHIGAKI Yasuji
Since last September, due to tough attitude and measures taken by China over theSenkaku issues, Japan‐China relations have suffered severe negative effects not only in politicaland economic spheres but also in the spheres of cultural and human exchanges. They are as yet
far from being normalized. One finds some relief at normalcy which is returning to the humanexchanges on the private‐sector between the two countries. Under those circumstances, inrecent months important changes took place in the high political leadership in Japan and China.
Chinaʹs policy toward Japan under its new leadership attracts much attention. While theappointment of Wang Yi, a Japan expert, as Foreign Minister might imply Chinaʹs cautious
attitude in advancing policy toward Japan, several statements already made by Chinese newleaders as well as the fact the visit of Tang Jiaxuan, Chairman of China‐Japan Friendship
Association, to Japan, reportedly scheduled in late March, has been postponed due to theregime change warrant no optimism. As for Japan‐ROK relations, on the other hand, people
tend to entertain some hope for improvement under the new presidency of Park Geun‐hye after
they were soured considerably under the previous ROK administration. However, thedifferences over territorial and historical issues between the two countries remain as serious as
ever.

Meanwhile, on a multilateral basis, it is encouraging that a basic agreement on thelaunch of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) comprising ASEAN plus 6
including Japan, China and ROK remains valid, and the high‐level FTA negotiations among
Japan, China and ROK have recently started. Furthermore, it is particularly good news thatJapan‐China‐ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting, which was held five times in the past, is reported
to be currently discussed with a view to holding a next meeting in coming May. The Trilateral
Summit has been held on rotation among Japan, China and ROK, as its first Meeting took placein Fukuoka in December 2008 hosted by then Prime Minister ASO Taro, the second in Beijing,
China in October 2009, the third in Jeju, ROK in May 2010, the fourth in Tokyo in May 2011 andthe fifth in Beijing, China in May 2012.

After concluding an international instrument inaccordance with the agreement reached at the third Meeting, a permanent secretariat undermanagement by a Secretary‐General, Deputy Secretary‐Generals and other staff members

dispatched from the three countries, was established in Seoul in September 2011.

At the first Meeting of Japan‐China‐ROK Trilateral Summit, it was decided that theMeeting should be held on a regular basis and was agreed that it should be held once a year inprinciple. However, a specific date setting of the Meeting seems to be subject to consultation
and arrangement each year as the occasion approaches. Since the third Meeting, it has become
customary to hold the Summit during the month of May. However, with regard to this yearʹsMeeting, it appears that consultations have long been going on as to whether the Meetingshould be held as usual in May and, if yes, on which exact date. Hence the date of the Meetinghas not yet been officially announced. It has also been the practice that the length of time set
and spent for discussion on official agenda at each of the Summit Meetings in the past are such
short time as only two hours in one day, with the exception of the third Meeting in Seoul whichlasted over two days with two sessions. The Summit Meeting has proved useful as a forum
where the top political leaders of the three countries discuss various questions of common
interest as well as the situations in the region. Especially, it is to be noted that the Meeting hascome to play an effective role in addressing some cases of conflict in the region, as a specificreference was made to the incident of sinking of the ROK navy ship ʺCheonan, in a Joint Press
Release issued after the third Meeting, stating that ʺ the leaders of the three countries expressed
condolences to the loss of lives caused by this incident, attached importance to the joint
investigation conducted by the ROK and other countries, and took note of the reactions ofvarious parties. The three countries will keep in contact and properly address the matter so as tomaintain peace and stability in the region.ʺ

However, in order to render the Japan‐China‐ROK Trilateral Summit more useful, thethree countries should agree in principle to determine the date of the Meeting on a specific dayof the week in a specific month, instead of discussing the date anew each year. At the same time,they should announce their firm determination both at home and externally that the Summit
Meeting shall always be held on that specific date with minimum adjustments to be required,
no matter how stringent the political situation surrounding the countries and region may turnout around each occasion. It is further suggested that the Meeting be held twice a year whennecessary, considering that only one meeting might not be sufficient to deal with a complex
situation, and that the Summit Meeting be well coordinated with Foreign Ministerʹs Meetings. It
is earnestly hoped that, at the forthcoming Summit Meeting, in‐depth discussion will take place
not only on the regional situation and other specific issues but also on the question of desired
modalities of holding the Meeting to enhance its role and effectiveness to a utmost extent.

(This is an English translation of the article written by Mr. ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Delegate

for Japan to AALCO, as his personal view which originally appeared on the BBS“Hyakka-Somei” of CEAC on March 27, 2013.)