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November 9, 2005

Toward a Principled Integration of East Asia:
Concept of an East Asian Community (1)By YAMADA Takio
In all of modern history, East Asia has never before captured the global attention or evinced theenergy and drive that it does today. In economic terms, the region is a tremendous source ofdynamism for the global economy, and the “de facto” economic integration that is taking place
as a result of the remarkable expansion of intraregional trade promises to make it flourish evenmore. Functional cooperation is also increasing in a wide range of areas including economic
partnership agreements, finance, and the environment, as well as in counter-terrorism,
anti-piracy, human trafficking, and other forms of transnational crime. Another development,
more sociocultural than economic, is the emergence of a younger generation known as the “newmiddle class” that is bound together by common lifestyles and is evolving into the shaper andbearer of new cultural phenomena and values. In this environment of dynamism and progress,
the first East Asia Summit will convene in December 2005.
In the political and security aspects, on the other hand, the nations of East Asia remain
extremely diverse. While democratization has made some progress in several countries, different
types of political systems and principles continue to coexist within the region. The recognitionof security threats and development of policies to deal with them also vary from country tocountry, leaving East Asia unready to create an overarching security framework. In addition, therise of nationalism, as reflected in recent developments in Japan–China relations, is further
complicating the political and security environment in East Asia.
East Asia thus stands at an historical crossroads. From this point forward, what course will theregion follow? Will the drive toward economic growth and integration enable it to become aleading region in the world and achieve a high level of wealth and prosperity? Or will it getbogged down trying to deal with the impact of rising nationalism? How can East Asia best use
the opportunities provided by today’s unprecedented economic and sociocultural growth anddevelopment? How can the region prevent its fragile political and security-related situation andemerging nationalism from upsetting peace and security? The answers to these questions will bedetermined by the kinds of efforts each country in the region makes in the years to come.

1Three Approaches
Diplomatic policies to deal with the current situation in East Asia can be divided into threebroad approaches. The countries in the region must promote each of the three approaches so asto enhance the stability, peace, and prosperity of the region.
The first approach is centered on positive ways to meet the critical diplomatic challenges theregion faces. These include issues related to North Korea, the Taiwan Straits, the South China
Sea, and current Japan–China relations. How these are handled and the outcome in each casewill have a profound influence on the future of the region.
The second approach focuses on enhancing and maintaining effective security throughout theregion. A strong and reliable deterrence system is vital to ensure that rising nationalism andpolitical differences do not lead to serious conflicts. Already well established and capable ofresiliency, the Japan-U.S. security alliance will likely continue to function as the backbone ofthis deterrence system in East Asia.
The third approach involves the sharing and promotion of a common vision among East Asian
nations of the kind of region they hope to see evolve, together with joint efforts to move in that
direction. While the importance of the first and second approaches has long been recognized, thethird approach has begun to receive serious attention only recently. Its importance will become
increasingly obvious as regional interdependence expands and deepens, particularly in theeconomic and sociocultural dimensions. The main theme of this article, the concept of an East
Asian community, is at the core of the third approach.
(This is the text of an article by Mr. YAMADA Takio, Director of Regional Policy Division,
Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which originally appearedin the Fall 2005 issue of the English edition of “GAIKO FORUM.”)2