Even as the deepening of mutual economic dependence pushes the
development of regional cooperation, there continues to exist
relics of division carried over from the Cold War as well as
ongoing sparks of regional conflict. There are also signs of
a dangerous arms race.
The term coexistence signifies the need to consider a structure
that would bring out the best of different elements while living
together in the same environment. The need for such coexistence
is especially pressing in East Asia, which is home to a wide
variety of differing political systems, religions and stages
of economic development. The framework for regional security
and dialogue for East Asia should incorporate that perspective.
We cannot allow the further absence of a framework for dialogue
in Northeast Asia. An urgent task facing Japan, China and the
Republic of Korea (South Korea), which have histories of being
aggressors and victims, is strengthening mutual trust.
There is a need for a permanent deliberation council for those
three nations. Such a council would also support the ASEAN plus
3 structure in which the three nations meet with the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations.
In addition to beginning meetings on historical understanding
and the textbook issue, efforts should be made for the creation
of periodic meetings of leaders and Cabinet ministers as well
as the institutionalization of interaction in the areas of scholarly
and cultural exchange and among youth and students. Interaction
among those in the military control field is also important.
It will be important to create a mechanism to handle cooperatively
issues that extend beyond nations' borders. The time has come
for the various governments as well as nongovernmental organizations
and citizens groups to work together to think up ideas that go
beyond traditional proposals.
One such proposal is the creation of an ``East Asia Peace Cooperation
Corps'' that would bring people together from the different nations
to work on such issues as medical care, education and economic
development.
The participation and cooperation of the United States will
be essential for realizing a system of cooperative national security
in the entire East Asia region. We strongly call on the United
States to soften its attitude of acting forcefully as the sole
superpower in the world.
Japan should convert the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty into an
``international public good'' that would ensure regional stability.
That treaty should be utilized, but there is also a need to create
a diplomatic structure that would allow for an independent decision-making
process in which clear responses are made depending on the situation.
Efforts should be made to consider the creation of a multipartisan
forum within Japan to discuss foreign policy issues related to
Japan's neighbors. That forum would review from a comprehensive
and long-term perspective diplomatic measures in relation to
Japan's neighbors which have been a weak point until now.
Proposals have been raised from both the public and private
sectors for the creation of an East Asian community. While those
proposals are still in the embryonic stage, it will be important
to recognize the present condition and future direction of the
deepening mutual dependence as well as pursue cooperative action.
We hope to build up mutual trust through an accumulation of
various exchange programs. This year provides an excellent opportunity
for such exchanges with the co-hosting of the World Cup soccer
by Japan and South Korea and the marking of the 30th anniversary
of normalization of relations between Japan and China.
AAN ACTIVITIES AND TERMINOLOGY
AAN is an organization in which journalists and scholars collaborate
on research on a specific theme.
With regard to security in Northeast Asia, and to reduce tension
and prevent conflict, AAN has proposed the creation of a ``cooperative
security mechanism'' in which Asian countries can participate
to build trust and discuss rules of conflict resolution.
Based on this premise, AAN has put forward numerous recommendations.
These include:
*Beginning six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula
*Deepening dialogue between Japan and the Republic of Korea
(South Korea)
*Creating a new system of multilateral security alongside the
existing U.S.-Japan alliance
Since last spring, AAN has resolved that historical issues form
the core of mutual trust, and that the values of nonviolence
are more valid than ever. The present report is based on these
past findings.
In their recommendations, our researchers refer to ``a common
security system.'' This is an approach to increase the transparency
of each country's military, based on the common understanding
that avoiding war is for mutual good. The phrase ``human security''
is used in contrast to ``national security,'' to propose that
security is not just about governments, but about individual
people.
``Coexistence'' and ``symbiosis,'' terms originally used in
Buddhism, as well as in biology and sociology, describe a cooperative,
mutually beneficial relationship among diverse entities. Coexistence
is an ideal pursued by ``a cooperative security'' and ``human
security.''
THE TRENDS OF COOPERATION, CONFRONTATION COLLIDE
