The Sixth Plenary Meeting was held under
the theme of "Political, Social, and Cultural Cooperation
in East Asia" on December 15, in the Conference Room of the
Japan Forum on International Relations. The meeting began with
keynote speeches from the two council members, WATANABE Akio,
President of the Research Institute for Peace and Security, and
Professor YAMAKAGE Susumu of the University of Tokyo, and from
KONDO Seiichi, Director-General of the Public Diplomacy Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. WATANABE, speaking on political
cooperation in East Asia, analyzed that, "In the fields
of both economics and security, a regional order without the
United States is inconceivable, and China also has to be duly
considered. Japan should keep its anti-terrorism policy line."
Prof. YAMAKAGE, speaking on social
cooperation, emphasized that, "Is a ‘vow of pacifism' possible
in East Asia? To what extent will differences in political systems
become an obstacle? Will a feeling of fellowship be born from
just economic rationality?"
Mr. KONDO, speaking on cultural cooperation,
noted that, "In Asia, beside function and rationality,
emotional factors are more important than in Europe. The keywords
are youth and contemporary culture."
The Council Members had lively discussions
with the following comments being made: "The US reaction
this time is different from its reaction to the EAEC. Today
the US does not have the choice of separating Japan from Asia."
"Community building must based on the member countries
adhering to such values as fundamental human rights, the right
to vote, and freedom of thought." "If democracy takes
root in China, the outbreak of war in Asia will become inconceivable."
"With regard to mutual benefits and common values, it would
be necessary to wait for the discussions to converge in due
course."