1.Greetings
His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean,
His Excellency Ambassador and Dean of S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Mr. Barry Desker,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Just a short while ago, the APEC leaders’ Summit was successfully concluded under the esteemed chairpersonship of His Excellency Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. I have come to this lecture immediately afterwards. I am very honored to be able to speak with you about the new Japanese administration’s policy toward Asia. I especially thank Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo for serving as the moderator today.
2.Asia and Japan
Today, there is no question about the importance of Asia.
The world is becoming increasingly multipolar. If we look at economic power against this backdrop, we see that the ASEAN Plus Six countries produced about 23 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product in 2008 while APEC economies accounted for more than 52 percent. These figures are likely to grow.
As you know quite well, in Asia, regional integration is making progress in the real economy. At the same time, it is an interesting fact that Asia is prospering through its openness to the rest of the world. We should be encouraged by the fact that the ASEAN countries, China, the Republic of Korea and others have begun to play a constructive role in the region and in the entire international community while working together to promote their economic development.
Of course developing Asia is not free of problems. In this regard, the presence of the United States has been playing and will continue to play an important role in ensuring the peace and prosperity of Asia, including Japan. This is one of the greatest reasons that Japan continues to regard the Japan-U.S. alliance as the linchpin of Japanese foreign policy. President Obama and I have agreed to further deepen our alliance. Yesterday, President Obama gave a speech in Tokyo and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Asia. Together with you, I would like to welcome this commitment.
Japan is quite a unique country in Asia. Among Asian nations, Japan was the first to achieve modernization. It is endowed with excellent technology and a mature economy. Japanese society is also endowed with values to be proud of, such as diligence and teamwork. Minister Mentor His Excellency Mr. Lee Kuan Yew wrote about these in his memoirs. Japan also has a long history of parliamentary democracy. As you well know, about two months ago, the Japanese people chose a change of government, turning a new page in the history of Japan’s democracy.
Japan’s uniqueness is not, however, limited to these dimensions. Japan has begun to face “post-economic growth challenges” well before many other Asian nations. Its falling birth rate, aging population, and development of urbanization simultaneous with depopulation of rural areas are just a few examples of these challenges. After much trial and error, Japan has developed the knowledge and experience to address these challenges.
It is important to note that almost all nations will face similar challenges sooner or later. When they tackle their own “post-economic growth challenges,” they can benefit from Japan’s store of knowledge and experience as something like public goods. Experiencing hardships earlier than other countries is one of Japan’s strengths, which in turn helps to strengthen Asia.
For this reason, I believe that if Japan cooperates with other Asian countries, truly any challenge can be overcome.
3.Promoting the initiative for an East Asian community
The new government of Japan has declared that it attaches great importance to Asian diplomacy. The main pillar of this policy is the initiative for an “East Asian community.”
The concept behind my initiative for an East Asian community stems from the philosophy of “yu-ai.” I personally cherish this “yu-ai” philosophy. “Yu-ai” is typically translated as “fraternity.” Within “yu-ai,” people respect the freedom and human dignity of others just as they respect their own freedom and human dignity. In other words, “yu-ai” means not only the independence of people but also their coexistence.
Ever since I began my career in politics, I have constantly asked myself if we could find ways to create a bond of “yu-ai” between Japan and other Asian countries, and more broadly among Asia-Pacific countries. I set this goal because reconciliation in the real sense of the word is not necessarily believed to have been achieved in the region. This is the current situation, although more than 60 years have passed since Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly on the people of Asian nations.
Now let us turn our eyes to Europe. Europe had the disastrous experience of two world wars. But Germany and France, once bitter foes, have increased their cooperation dramatically. This started with the establishment of a common market for coal and steel production. Then, through further exchanges among people, they succeeded in establishing a de facto community. Now, wars against one another are unimaginable. These efforts were initially centered on Germany and France. But, they continued through twists and turns over the years, and they finally resulted in the creation of the European Union. The central idea of my “East Asian community” initiative is based upon reconciliation and cooperation in Europe.
In my initiative, I propose that countries sharing a common vision promote cooperation in various fields. This would be based on the principle of “open regional cooperation.” Through this, our region would develop a multi-layered network of functional communities. I attach the greatest importance to the promotion of concrete cooperation in a broad range of areas such as trade, investment, finance and education. I will explain that in more detail later.
As we cooperate, we will set rules for ourselves, work together, share our wisdom, and respect the rules we have made. Therefore, we will be able to not only achieve practical gains, but also build mutual trust.
Here, I would like to cite a few examples of the cooperation that I consider important.
First of all, we need to cooperate to prosper together.
The experiences of Europe and ASEAN show that developing economic ties in principle promotes cooperation. Economic partnership agreements (EPAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) are effective ways to promote such economic ties in the region under a common set of rules.
Japan has EPAs with a total of ten countries and one region. These include agreements with seven ASEAN member countries and ASEAN as a whole. Still, these agreements are insufficient to fully “open up Japan.” Going forward, we will accelerate EPA negotiations with the Republic of Korea, India and Australia and pursue the possibilities of EPA negotiations with other countries as well. We will also actively participate in the discussions for the “Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia” (CEPEA) among the ASEAN Plus Six countries, as well as the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) among APEC economies.
Second, we must cooperate to save a “Green Asia.”
No country on earth can escape from the threat posed by climate change.
Japan has set a reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions of 25 percent by 2020, compared to the 1990 level. This target is premised on the establishment of a fair and effective international framework and agreement on ambitious emissions reduction targets by all major economies.
Negotiations for the upcoming COP 15 are now underway. For the sake of future generations, we need to ensure the success of the Conference.
We all know that growth alone will not make people happy and will not be sustainable. Japan experienced serious air pollution and environmental degradation during its period of rapid economic growth. Today, rivers are being polluted and mangrove forests are being destroyed in many parts of Asia.
I wish from the bottom of my heart that people in developing countries pursue greenhouse gas reductions based on “common but differentiated responsibilities.” By doing this, they will help tackle climate change even as they achieve sustainable growth. They can take advantage of advanced energy-saving technologies, smart grid systems, water purification techniques and other environment-friendly technologies owned by Japanese companies.
Third, we need to cooperate to protect human lives.
In the thirty years until 2007, more than 1.3 million Asians died in natural disasters. Infectious diseases like SARS, avian influenza and the new A-H1N1 flu have raged across national boundaries. It would be no exaggeration to say that in this part of the world, natural disasters and infectious diseases pose a more serious threat to human security than war.
We have witnessed devastating earthquakes such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and those that hit Sumatra and Java. We have seen monsoons and typhoons repeatedly strike our region.
Whenever major natural disasters have occurred, we have helped and have been helped by one another. The image of rescue efforts by devoted NGOs and volunteers has been engraved in my mind. We should ask if we can help each other more often and more extensively.
Japan will make a proactive contribution, for example, to encourage governments and other organizations to register their human and material assets for disaster relief. Through this, we can conduct more prompt and effective rescue and relief activities in case of disasters. This will be an important step toward the establishment of a new framework for disaster management.
In the field of sanitation, next year Japan will dispatch a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel as a “yu-ai boat.” This ship will carry not only SDF officials but also people from NGOs and other private sector and civil society entities. Their mission will be to conduct medical services and extend cultural activities in the Pacific and the Southeast Asian region. In this way, Japan will participate in the “Pacific Partnership” initiative launched by the U.S. in 2007. Japan will work together with the U.S., Australia, Indonesia, and other participating countries. Together, we will help improve the well-being of local people.
Fourth, we need to cooperate in building a “sea of fraternity.” The Asian region is linked together by many seas. And, most regional commerce depends on sea routes. The realization of a “sea of fraternity” in this region will bring about peace and prosperity in the region as a whole. As for multilateral joint efforts in this area, Japan, as a maritime country, has the know-how and assets to maintain the peace at sea.
For instance, we can cooperate further to counter piracy. Existing regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, including in the Strait of Malacca, has already become a model for many countries. Why don’t we further expand these efforts to other regions? Many Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan, the United States, China, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore, are currently engaging in activities to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. We can work even more closely together in this area as well.
East Asia is lagging in joint efforts to prevent maritime accidents and to ease tensions. It is important for countries in the region to promote concrete cooperation, such as by concluding agreements on search and rescue, in case of maritime accidents.
Cooperation for our region need not be limited to these areas. We can also work together in such fields as nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, cultural exchanges, social security, and urban issues. There may also be an opportunity for us to discuss possible political cooperation in the future.
It may be possible that countries with the will and the capabilities to cooperate in a particular field may choose to participate in projects initially, and as their efforts bear fruit, other countries could join later.
Ladies and gentlemen,
What do you think about these ideas? After hearing my views today, perhaps you would still like to ask who will be the members of my initiative for an East Asian community.
To that, my answer is - people who share these ideals and dreams.
4.Conclusion
Finally, I would like to touch upon my thinking on “the most important key to promote an East Asian community initiative.” That key is people.
Japanese products have spread to other Asian countries and Japan’s imports from the rest of Asia have increased. Yet, greater trade volumes alone will not lead to mutual understanding. “Person-to-person contact” will be the only way to help us truly understand each other. It is also important to learn together about the technology and tools we will share as we move forward. This is how we can begin cooperation in a variety of fields.
There are many things Japan can do to promote people to people exchanges in the region. In one program, Japan invites 6,000 youths from East Asian countries every year. The Japanese government launched this project in 2007, and we will continue it in the years ahead. We are also resolved to expand the ability to transfer credits interchangeably among universities. Similarly, we will redouble efforts to harmonize the standards of assessment among universities in the region.
In this region, the ASEAN Plus Six countries include more than 3.2 billion people and the APEC economies include 2.7 billion people. The energy of these diverse populations is tremendous. I am sure that unimaginable, new capabilities and wisdom will emerge if the people -all the different people- living in this region, take the opportunity to get to know one another across national borders.
Today, I am in Singapore. This country provides a great example of how openness to the world can lead to a dynamic and prosperous society. Here, I also sense the infinite possibilities for APEC’s “open regionalism.”
I hope that people from various walks of life in this area will cooperate more closely in diverse ways. I hope that we will fully discuss among ourselves what kind of community we want to build in this region. I also hope that we will work together to build a new Asia for the future.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Next year, Japan will chair APEC. I hope you will take this opportunity to visit Japan.
Japan has snow. Japan has hot springs.
Japan has people with warm hearts, and they are waiting to welcome you.
Next year, I look forward to welcoming you to Japan.
献给亚洲的新的承诺
――为了东亚共同体构想的实现（试译）――
（09.11.15）
1、致辞
Teo Chee Hean副总理兼国防部长阁下、Barry Desker南洋理工大学拉惹勒南国际研究院（RSIS）所长、各位来宾：
大家好。
由李显龙总理阁下亲自主持召开的APEC首脑会议刚一结束，我马上就赶到这里来了。今天有幸在各位面前，就日本新政权的亚洲政策发表演讲，我感到非常光荣。特别是Teo Chee Hean副总理兼国防部长阁下今天亲自到场担任主持人，更让我感到由衷的感谢。
2、亚州与日本
当前，亚洲的重要性已经不容置疑。
在世界朝多元化方向快速发展的今天，单从经济实力上看， 2008年，ASEAN＋6在全球GDP中所占的比例达到了23％左右，APEC所占的比例超过了52％，并且这些数字今后还有进一步増加的趋势。
正如各位所了解的那样，今天的亚洲，在实体经济层面上的区域统合日益推进。与此同时，对整个世界开放的政策也使亚洲变得越发繁荣，这是一个非常耐人寻味的事实。另外，ASEAN各国以及中国、韩国等国家也对经济发展做出积极回应，开始在地区和国际社会中发挥出建设性作用，这也为我们增添了极大的勇气。
当然，在发展过程中，亚洲也存在一些问题。关于这一点，美国在亚洲的存在对包括日本在内的亚洲地区的和平与繁荣发挥出了重要的作用，相信今后这种作用也将持续下去。日本之所以继续把日美同盟定位为日本外交的基轴，最主要的原因之一正在于此。奥巴马总统和我都认为应该进一步深化日美间的同盟关系。昨天，奥巴马总统在东京发表演说时再次强调了美国对亚洲的关注态度。跟各位一样，我对此也深表欢迎。
在亚洲国家中，日本有着很多与众不同的地方。日本是亚洲地区最早实现现代化的国家，拥有着优秀的技术和成熟的经济。正如李光耀内阁资政阁下在回忆录中所写的那样，日本社会具有让我们引以为自豪的勤奋和团队合作精神。同时，日本还有着悠久的议会民主主义传统。就在2个月前，日本国民选择了政权交替，在民主主义历史上掀开了新的一页。这些情况我想各位都是有所了解的。
日本与众不同的地方还表现在它在众多亚洲国家中最先遇到了“成长所面临的课题”。如少子老龄化、伴随城市化发展而来的农村人口减少等等都属于这一类课题。日本在反复试验之后，积累起了很多应对这一类课题的知识和经验。
关键问题在于，几乎所有的国家在不久的将来都会遇到同样的课题。在地区内各国应对“成长所面临的课题”时，可以将日本此前积累起来的经验作为一笔公共财产来利用。
虽说是“前人栽树”，但这对日本也会起到帮助。因此我相信，如果“前人栽树”的日本与亚洲其他国家进行合作，就没有做不到的事情。
3、东亚共同体构想的推进
新一届日本政府高度重视亚洲外交，其支柱便是“东亚共同体构想”。
说起东亚共同体构想的思想源头，可以追溯到我本人非常重视的“友爱（yu-ai）”思想。“友爱”有时也被翻译成“博爱（fraternity）”，说的是在尊重自身的自由和人格尊严的同时，也应该尊重他人的自由和人格尊严。我认为也可以把它称作为“自立与共生”思想。
自从政以来，我一直在思考一个问题——“是否能在日本与其他亚洲各国，更进一步说是在亚太各国之间，建立起一种相互友爱的纽带”。我之所以这么想，是因为日本曾经给这个地区的很多国家、特别是亚洲各国带来过巨大的痛苦和伤害。虽然已经过去了60多年，但即便是在今天，也未必能说日本与这些国家实现了真正的和解。
我们不妨把目光转向欧洲。曾经经历过两次惨烈的世界大战、并且很长一段时间内一直都在相互仇恨的德法两国，今天已经建立起了煤炭和钢铁的共同管理等合作关系。并随着国民相互之间交往的加深，已经形成了事实上的远离战争的共同体。尽管德法两国的共同体模式也曾经历过无数次的艰难曲折，但却始终没有停下脚步，最终发展成了今天的欧盟（EU）。正是欧洲国家的这种和解与合作的经历让我萌生了“东亚共同体构想”的念头。
我考虑的东亚共同体构想就是要在“开放性地区合作”的原则之下，通过推进相关国家在各个领域中的合作，在本地区建立起多个功能性共同体网络。接下来我还会具体讲到这个问题，最为关键的就是要大力推进在贸易、投资、金融、教育等广泛领域中的具体合作。
在合作过程中，需要各国一起商定合作规则，一起协同行动，一起贡献智慧，共同遵守这个规则。通过这样的合作，我们不仅将获得现实利益，也期待能培育起相互信赖的感情。
在这里给各位列举几个我想到的合作事例。
首先我想谈谈以促进共同繁荣为目的的合作。
无论是在欧洲还是在ASEAN，当经济关系发展到一定程度时，都必然会产生对合作的需求。而EPA/FTA就是在共同规则制约之下促进地区经济合作的有效手段。
现在，日本与东南亚地区7国之间、与ASEAN全体成员国以及东盟10国1地区之间都签有EPA协议。但要说仅仅这样就能代表“开放日本”，我认为还远远不够。今后日本除了要加快与韩国、印度、澳大利亚之间的EPA谈判进程之外，还必须积极探索与其他国家开展EPA谈判的可能性。除此之外，日本还要积极参加ASEAN＋6框架下的“CEPEA”和APEC的“FTAAP”讨论。
接下来要说的是守护绿色亚洲的合作。
在这个地球上，没有哪个国家能躲开来自于气候变化的威胁。
在所有主要国家倡导的“构筑公平并富有成效的国际框架、同意制定具有进取性的目标”的前提下，日本提出了在2020年之前使温室效应气体排放量比1990年削减25％的目标。就算是为了子孙后代，我们也必须全力促使目前处于交渉中的COP15取得成功。
我们都知道，传统的发展模式并不能给大家带来幸福，而且也不能长此以往地持续下去。日本在经济高度增长时期也经历了严重的大气污染和环境破坏。现在亚洲各地都能看到河流遭到污染、红树森林消失的景象。
我有一个发自内心的愿望，那就是希望发展中国家的各位在气候变化问题上，本着“共同但有区别责任”的原则，积极投身于温室气体减排事业。同时我也希望通过推广日本企业的先进节能技术、智能网格系统以及水质净化技术等，帮助更多国家实现可持续发展的目标。
第三点是在保护生命方面的合作。
在2007年以前的30年当中，亚洲地区有130多万人因自然灾害而失去生命。SARS、禽流感、甲型H1N1流感等疾病正在跨越国境迅速蔓延。在这个地区，说自然灾害和传染病的危险程度已经超过战争，成为了威胁人类安全保障的最大隐患也绝不过分。
发生于阪神・淡路、苏门答腊以及爪哇等地的大地震，不断袭来的台风暴雨造成的损害――每当发生大规模灾害的时候，人们都在忙于救助他人或被他人救助。那些NGO和志愿者奋不顾身的救灾场景每时每刻都浮现在我眼前。让我们行动起来，一起加强互助关系！
日本将在构筑全新防灾框架方面做出积极贡献，呼吁各国政府机构在救援的人力、物力、财力各方面做好事前注册，以便在灾情发生时能够顺利投入救援行动。
在卫生方面，日本明年将安排名为“友爱号”的自卫舰带着NGO及民间人士前往太平洋及东南亚地区开展医疗活动和文化交流。作为美国在2007年推出的“太平洋伙伴协议”的内容之一，届时将会有美国、澳大利亚、印度等多个国家参加进来。我期待这项活动能对所到国家的人民有所帮助。
第四是共建“友爱之海”的合作。
亚洲地区由众多海域相连，贸易的绝大部分也是通过海上交通进行的。把这片海域建成“友爱之海”必将给整个地区带来和平与繁荣。在开展多边共同合作的前提上说，日本作为一个四面环海的岛国，在保卫海洋和平方面具有足够的技术和财力资源。
比如说，我们可以在应对海盗问题上开展更多的合作。在包括马六甲海峡在内的东南亚地区开展的区内合作已经成为了很多国家效仿的榜样，这种合作方式可以推广到世界其它地区。另外，在索马里海域，日、美、中、韩、澳、印、马来西亚、新加坡等许多亚太国家都开展了应对海盗的活动。在这方面我们也应该有更多的合作机会。
在东亚地区，为预防海难事故以及缓解紧张局势而开展的共同参与活动还有待进一步加强。各国之间加快推进具体合作进程是非常重要的，如缔结海难事故时的捜救协议等。
各国间能够开展合作的领域远远不止这些，包括核裁军、核不扩散、文化交流、社会保障、城市问题等都可以纳入合作领域的范畴。在将来，各国间就政治合作开展对话也并非没有可能。
另外，在某些领域中具备合作意愿和能力的国家可以先行参加，随着合作成果的显现，逐渐扩大成员国范围，这种形式也可以纳入考虑范围之内。
听过我今天的说明之后，各位觉得怎么样？会不会有人问我“在鸠山的构想中，到底谁会成为共同体成员”的问题？如果有这种问题的话，我的回答是——
“拥有着共同理想和目标的人们！”
4、结束语
在讲演的最后，我想再说一点。在推进东亚共同体构想的过程中最关键的因素是什么——那就是“人”！
不管日本产品在亚洲各国普及到什么程度，也不管日本如何扩大从亚洲各国的进口贸易，仅凭这些都不能实现相互理解。只有通过“人与人的接触”，我们才能真正了解对方。相互学习沟通的技术和工具是非常重要的。这样，我们就能开始各种各样的合作。
在促进地区人员交流方面，日本有很多需要做的事情。仅举一个例子来说，日本政府从前年开始，推出了一项每年从亚洲各国招聘6000名人材来日本工作的计划，这项计划今后也将持续下去。我们还将实现区内大学间学分互换的扩大以及成绩评价的共同化等。
在这一地区，ASEAN＋6拥有着超过32亿的人口，有27亿人生活在APEC国家。不难想象这是一个多么巨大的能量。如果居住在这一地区的各国人民能够跨越国境的界限进行交流，必将孕育出超乎想象的活力与智慧。
在今天，一个全球化的开放性社会应该怎样生机勃勃地发展？新加坡就是在这方面做得最成功的范例。在这里，我感受到了蕴含在APEC“开放的地区主义”中的无限的可能性。
我希望在各种场合中，加深与亚洲地区各种人群的合作。希望更多人参加到“亚洲到底需要一个怎样的共同体”的讨论中来。让我们携起手来，共同创建亚洲的明天！
明年，日本将担任APEC主办国，欢迎各位借这个机会来日本看看。日本有雪，有温泉，更有准备热情迎接各位到来的日本人民。期待着明年在日本相见！
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