Japanese Proposals in 2009
The concept of the community, if not the details, was promoted during the Japanese general election, 2009 campaign. After the change of government in Japan the details of what Japan was proposing was unclear.
The Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in early October 2009 indicated that what was proposed was a Community based on the members of the East Asia Summit focusing on political links with a common currency "very far off in the future". The Japanese proposal is for a regional trade grouping. This proposal was based on the 16 member countries of the East Asia Summit.
The subsequent ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit meetings did not clarify what role or shape the community would have.
The Chairman's Statement for the ASEAN Plus Three meeting stated:
20.We reaffirmed our commitment to the ASEAN Plus Three process as a main vehicle towards the long-term goal of building an East Asian community with ASEAN as the driving force. We noted Japan’s aspiration to reinvigorate the discussion towards building an East Asian community based on the principle of openness, transparency and inclusiveness and functional cooperation.
ASEAN Plus Three was noted as "a" main vehicle whereas earlier language had been "the".
The Chairman's Statement Fourth East Asia Summit stated:
21.We acknowledged the importance of regional discussions to examine ways to advance the stability and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region. In this connection, we noted with appreciation the following:
(a) the Philippines’s proposal to invite the heads of other regional fora and organizations in Asia-Pacific to future EAS meetings to discuss measures that will protect the region from future economic and financial crisis and strengthen Asia economic cooperation, including through the possible establishment of an economic community of Asia.
(b) Japan’s new proposal to reinvigorate the discussion towards building, in the long run, an East Asian community based on the principle of openness, transparency and inclusiveness and functional cooperation.
(c) Australia’s proposal on the Asia Pacific community in which ASEAN will be at its core, will be further discussed at a 1.5 track conference to be organized by Australia in December 2009.
In addition to these proposals India also has its proposal for an Asian Economic Community.
Read more about this topic: East Asian Community
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