The Promise of a new Japan

The Promise of a new Japan Rizal Sukma ;  The writer is Executive Director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta

JAKARTA POST, 26 Januari 2013

Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, completed his tour of Southeast Asia last week. The tour, despite being linked by some analysts to the rising influence of China in the region, clearly demonstrates the enduring importance of Southeast Asia to Japan.  However, it is unfortunate that Abe had to shorten his visit in Jakarta due to the hostage crisis in Algeria. He had to cancel an event where he was expected to deliver a policy speech outlining Japan’s new policy toward Southeast Asia. This, however, does not mean that Abe left Indonesia and the region without clear messages. From his statements during a press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and also according to text of the policy speech that the prime minister had prepared earlier, there are a number of key important elements that will underpin Japan’s policy in the second Abe administration.  The most important one is the five principles upon which Abe’s administration policy will be based. Abe maintained that Japan’s relations with the world, including Southeast Asia, will be guided by the importance of democracy and freedom; open seas governed by laws and rules; free, open and interconnected economies; closer cultural ties; and promoting exchanges among the younger generations. Through these principles, Japan promises that it will continue to adhere to the famous Fukuda Doctrine that has underpinned Japan’s policy toward Southeast Asia over the last four decades. Second, Abe clearly underlined the importance of Japan-ASEAN relations. He maintained that ASEAN and Japan are now equal partners that should work together to bring about positive influences, not only in the region but also in the world. Indeed, while continuing their current cooperation to ensure a peaceful and prosperous East Asia, Japan and ASEAN can do more to contribute to global governance and to the maintenance of global public goods. The on-going global strategic transformation, exemplified by the promise of an Asian Century, renders this agenda even more imperative for both Japan and ASEAN. Third, Abe promises to prioritize the domestic agenda of getting Japan’s economy back on track. This is certainly an agenda very much welcome around the globe. In the past, the world, and especially East Asian countries, have benefited greatly from Japan’s economic miracle. While one cannot say that Japan no longer serves as an engine for the regional economy, an economically stronger Japan will definitely help the region fulfill the promise of the Asian century. Without an economically stronger Japan, the process of turning East Asia into a region of prosperity would never be complete.  Fourth, Abe repeatedly mentioned the strategic importance of maritime domain as a regional and global good. He argued that the East Asian region, as “the confluence of the two oceans” (Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean), is not only united by the sea and depends on the sea, but also bound together by common interests in ensuring good order at sea.  We could not agree more. As an archipelagic state, Indonesia is also of the same view. Indonesia, in this specific context, constitutes the locus of the confluence of the two oceans. Given the fact that many countries in this region (including Indonesia and Japan) are still faced with territorial disputes, we all need to prioritize peaceful means to settle those problems. Fifth, Abe also reiterates the importance of a US-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign policy. Southeast Asian countries understand Japan’s core interests well. However, in light of the growing complexity of major power relations in East Asia, ASEAN countries also hope that Japan’s relations with ASEAN will not be framed, let alone defined, within this context. Japan and ASEAN need to base their relationship not only on the mutual interests between the two sides, but also on East Asia’s common interests in fulfilling the long-term regional vision of an East Asian community. Finally, it is interesting to also note that Abe acknowledged that Japan now suffers from a “lack of confidence”. Restoring the vitality of Japan’s economy surely constitutes an important path for Japan to regain its confidence. Playing a comprehensive regional and global role, which goes beyond the traditional economic role, constitutes another path.  However, it is also important for Japan to ensure the confidence of some of its neighbors, especially China and South Korea, in Japan. On its part, ASEAN is more than willing to work with Japan to regain its strategic confidence as an important player in the region. ●