Japan and East Asia

In September 2009, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which came to power through a historic change of government, proposed a policy vision of an "East Asian Community." This marked the first time the term "community," previously used in intellectual discourse, was formalized in policy, moving beyond earlier concepts of "cooperation" or "solidarity." Today, the world's attention is focused on East Asia. China's rapid economic growth alone draws significant attention. The United States acts as a counterweight, and Japan's position remains undeniable. The future of the Korean Peninsula is uncertain, and the dynamism of Southeast Asia is creating new narratives. A new experiment for the 21st century is unfolding in East Asia.

Amidst this dynamism, what strategy will Japan employ? The 19th-century dichotomy of "leaving Asia to join Europe" (脱亜入欧) or "leaving Europe to join Asia" (脱欧入亜) is no longer relevant. This book delves deeply into Japan's East Asian strategy, examining its past, present, and various sectors within the context of 21st-century international relations, which are increasingly networked.

The East Asian Community Theory: Understanding Japan is Essential.

East Asia lies at the heart of 21st-century international relations. China's rise portends historical shifts on a global scale. The United States maintains its position as the sole superpower, while Japan, with its formidable economic strength, seeks to refocus its power and attention on the East Asian region, extending beyond Asia to a global level. The development myth of the "Asian Tigers" remains relevant, and emerging developing nations, following in their footsteps, are stirring within ASEAN. Western societies, having succeeded in democratization and industrialization, now face new challenges arising from development and are seeking answers in Asian values. Conversely, the region's numerous risk factors—including the North Korean nuclear issue, the Taiwan issue, developmental imbalances, historical disputes and territorial conflicts among neighboring countries, natural disasters, and environmental problems—also command attention.

When discussing East Asian regionalism, Japan cannot be overlooked. Although it may be characterized as a strategic diplomatic shift driven by the need to counterbalance China's rise and the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance, Japan's strategic interest in the Asia-Pacific region is not a recent phenomenon. Japan has a history of imperialism, and even during periods when its diplomacy was heavily focused on the United States, it maintained its influence in Southeast Asia through continuous aid and attention as a global economic power. Its particular understanding of the Korean Peninsula also persists. Japan is the most active proponent of the "East Asian Community" concept, and its government has taken the most concrete initiative. Backed by its economic and cultural strength, Japan is now approaching East Asian issues from a strategic diplomatic perspective.

Japan: Will It Leave Historical Obstacles Unaddressed?

Japan has consistently exercised leadership in the formation and development of East Asian regionalization and regionalism. In the political and military security domains, Japan has historically remained passive, relying on the Japan-U.S. alliance. Nevertheless, Japan is carving out a new position through its contributions to "international cooperation for human security" and its role as an "effective power" centered on the Japan-U.S. alliance. In contrast, Japan's role in the economic sphere is prominent. It has expanded the network of free trade through bilateral EPAs and has continuously played a leading role in regional financial cooperation in East Asia, such as through the Asian Development Bank and the Chiang Mai Initiative. Furthermore, Japan's cultural influence in the region is immense. While the Korean Wave has recently swept through East Asia as a new trend, Japan's cultural influence, which penetrated the region long ago, is evolving from "Cool Japan" into an "Asian Content Community."

Japan's role as a leader in the East Asian region is not a matter of today but of the past. Its history as an imperial power and a war-guilty nation limits Japan's role in the international community and acts as an obstacle to garnering cooperation from neighboring countries. Despite this, Japan has yet to move beyond its stance of evading humanitarian and moral responsibility for its past, rather than making sincere efforts to overcome historical issues. The repeatedly cited case of Germany's historical reckoning must be recognized as the only viable solution for Japan.

The Advent of a New Era in Korea-Japan Relations and East Asian Regionalism

The 21st-century international order is unfolding as a bipolar structure between the U.S. and China. Within this context, Korea-Japan relations are also at a crossroads, moving away from a past passive relationship centered on the U.S. toward establishing a new relationship capable of responding to the new era. This is not solely based on geographical proximity, shared history (whether positive or negative), and cultural similarities. Both nations have consistently developed political democratization and liberalism, and their industrial growth has also been similar, focusing on export-oriented, state-led manufacturing. Moreover, the recent explosive increase in exchanges between the civil societies of both countries will significantly contribute to a groundbreaking expansion of the basis for sharing universal norms and values beyond national interests. The core partnership for an East Asian Community will originate from the new era of Korea-Japan relations.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A Historical Re-examination of the East Asian Community: Discourse and Policy | Han Sang-il

Chapter 2: East Asian Regionalism and Japan's Role | Lee Sook-jong

Chapter 3: Japan's East Asian Community Policy | Kim Ki-seok

Chapter 4: Japan's East Asian Community Theory and Security Policy | Park Young-joon

Chapter 5: Japan and the East Asian Financial Cooperation System | Kim Sang-joon

Chapter 6: Japan's East Asian Policy Through the Lens of EPA Policy | Kim Yang-hee

Chapter 7: Japan's Cultural Exchange Policy and East Asia: From "Cool Japan" to "Asian Content Community" | Kang Tae-woong

Chapter 8: Japan's East Asian Community Theory and the United States: Focusing on U.S. Participation in EAS and TPP | Cho Yang-hyun

Chapter 9: Japan's East Asian Community Strategy and Korea-Japan Relations | Lee Won-deok

For the convenience of our readers, parts of the manuscript of this book are being made public.