Asean Japan Relations

""As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Partnership, the essays in this book remind us, and amplify the ASEAN-Japan relations. The complexities of this relationship, including the external influences which have impinged on its development over the years, are cogently discussed and recorded for the younger generation and students of ASEAN-Japan ties. The intricacy and spread of ASEAN-Japan cooperation mechanisms are also well highlighted in this book, while several thought-provoking commentaries on the future of this four-decade old partnership give pause to the reade.

This book charts the progress of ASEAN-Japan relations from their difficult wartime legacy to postwar moves at diplomatic and economic rapprochement through successive governments.

Beyond Bilateralism analyzes how, and to what extent, crucial global and regional security, finance, and trade transformations have altered the U.S.-Japan relationship and how that bilateral relationship has in turn influenced those global and regional trends.

The Fukuda Doctrine has been the official blueprint to Japan's foreign policy towards Southeast Asia since 1977. This book examines the Fukuda Doctrine in the context of Japan-Southeast Asia relations, and discusses the possibility of a non-realist approach in the imagining and conduct of international relations in East Asia. The collapse of 54 years of Liberal Democratic Party rule and the advent of a new Democratic Party of Japan raises the question of whether the Fukuda Doctrine is still relevant as a framework to analyse Tokyo's policy and behaviour towards Southeast Asia. Looking at its origins and norms amidst three decades of change, the book argues that the Fukuda Doctrine is still relevant to Japan-Southeast Asian relations, and should be extended to relations between China and Japan if an East Asian Community is to be built. The book goes on to discuss the Fukuda Doctrine in relation to the power shift in Asia, including the revitalization of Japan's security role. By providing a detailed understanding of a non-western perspective of Japan's relationship with Southeast Asia, this book is a useful contribution for students and scholars of Asian Studies, Politics and International Relations.

A companion volume to ASEAN-Japan Relaions: Investment. Contributors include Narongchai Akrasanee, Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Prijono Tjiptoherijanto, Zakaria Haji Ahmad, K.C. Cheong, Romeo M. Bautista, Wilfrido V. Villacorta, Lim Hua sing, Lee Chin Choo, Likhit Dhiravegin, and kazuo Nukazawa. This volume identifies and analyses the economic and political factors influencing the direction and future of bilateral and intra-regional trade.

The central puzzle in the study of Japanese foreign policy has been why Japan has continued to play a passive role in international affairs, despite its impressive economic and political power. Challenging this central puzzle, the core argument of this study is to present an alternative path for the study of Japanese foreign policy. In fact, in recent years Japanese foreign policy has become less dependent on the United States, more strategic towards Asia, and more energetic towards international and regional institutions. One of the main features is multilateralism in Japanese foreign policy, as shown by Japan's active participation in the regional institutions. In pursuing multilateralism, Japan cooperated closely with the only durable regional body in Southeast Asia, to wit, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Given the fact that East Asian regionalism has been driven by ASEAN, it is of utmost urgency to investigate the emerging partnership between Japan and ASEAN. The central thesis of this study is thus to put Japan's ASEAN policy into a proper perspective by asserting that Japan's new policy initiatives towards ASEAN are not reactive, nor are they exceptions in a broader framework of merely reactive foreign policy.

This book assesses the importance of enhanced ASEAN-Japan cooperation as a step toward a greater East Asian regional community. Fifteen international relations experts from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and Japan, as well as China, South Korea, and the United States, review the history and current status of this bilateral relationship and propose how it can be strengthened. Chapters review the history of ASEAN-Japan relations and the rationale for renewed emphasis on cooperation; assess ASEAN as a regional unit and Japan as a regional actor; consider the implications for the relationship of changing regional and international environments; examine the future direction of economic, political, and security relations between the two actors; and evaluate societal and cultural areas of cooperation.Contributors include Tanaka Akihiko (Institute of Oriental Cultures, University of Tokyo, Japan), Jusuf Wanandi (Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, Indonesia), Hadi Soesastro (Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia), Soeya Yoshihide (Keio University, Japan), Charles Morrison (East-West Center), Ahn Byung-joon (Graduate Institute of Policy Studies, Japan), Zhang Yunling (Institute of Asia Pacific Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), Jesus Estanislao (Institute of Corporate Directors, Phillipines), Narongchai Akrasanee (Seranee Holdings Co. Ltd., Thailand), Chia Siow Yue (Singapore Institute of International Affairs), Hirono Ryokichi (Seikei University, Japan), Kiuchi Takashi (Shinsei Bank, Japan), Nishihara Masashi (National Defense Academy, Japan), Jawhar bin Hassan (Institute of Strategic and International Studies, Malaysia), Carolina Hernandez (Institute of Strategic and Development Studies, Phillipines), and Yamamoto Tadashi (Japan Center for International Exchange).

On the 8th of August 2017, ASEAN will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. ASEAN is of great importance to Singapore, the region and the world.In 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN in short, was founded by five countries in Southeast Asia which had just gained independence from their former colonial masters, united by a determination for the region to live in peace and stability. Singapore was one of the five founding members of ASEAN, together with Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The grouping was joined later by Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and finally, Cambodia (1999). ASEAN is today a very successful inter-governmental organization which promotes peace, stability, economic development and regional integration.This volume brings together 46 essays written by Singaporeans who have played a part in the partnership between ASEAN and Singapore. The reader will be able to glean an insight into the workings of ASEAN and Singapore's contributions to ASEAN through the lens of diplomats, academics, civil society leaders and officials.