In his policy speech Monday in Singapore, the last stop on his five-nation tour of Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi set the tone for Japan's diplomacy toward the evolving region. Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he stated, should strengthen ties by "acting together and advancing together as sincere and open partners" sharing a belief in democracy and market economics.
The speech, titled "Japan and ASEAN in East Asia," also envisions an "initiative for Japan-ASEAN comprehensive economic partnership" in a broad range of areas, including science and technology, education and tourism, as well as trade and investment. Mr. Koizumi also proposed a meeting on an "initiative for development in East Asia" to discuss aid strategies for the region.
Significantly, just the day before, he signed a free trade agreement with Singapore -- the first time that Japan has concluded such an arrangement on a bilateral basis. He said the deal could be a model for similar cooperation with ASEAN states. Given that it effectively excludes agricultural products, however, it remains to be seen how free trade agreements will fit into the proposed scheme of Japan-ASEAN partnership.