E. JAPAN'S ROLE IN REGIONAL SECURITY
1. Economic Assistance and Investment
In my opinion, Japan has played the most important role in the regional security of Asia Pacific through its economic contribution and investment. In terms of "comprehensive security" or "national resilience" such economic development is far more significant and far-reaching for the region's overall security than any conventional defense plan can provide.
It was partly the first Miyazawa Initiative on Recycling of Japanese Yen that helped to jump-start the rapid economic development for many of the Southeast Asian countries in the past two decades. It is hoped that the recent Miyazawa Initiative announced in October 1998 will facilitate the region to a faster recovery from its current financial crisis. The only complaint, if any, was that Japan has paid too much deference to the United States and its assistance sometimes came too late or too little. But, to be fair, Japan has pledged fund up to $44 billion to support Asian countries hit by the recent financial crisis from the very beginning. In the case of Thailand, Japan provided $4 billion as part of the IMF rescue package and extended an $8 billion insurance package in October 1997 to facilitate trade and project financing. All these assistance helped to ease the financial crunch.
Despite its own economic downturn and the need for more determination to revamp its own economy, Japan is the only country in the region that has the capability to provide leadership and resources to enhance the economic progress and well being of the region for mutual benefits. It is hoped that it will continue and excel in this role.
2. Military Role?
"Should Japan play a bigger military role?" is the question often asked. Many East and Southeast Asian would say no! not that they do not trust Japan in particular. They just do not want any new military power emerging in the region, whether it is China, Japan, India or even one of their own, Indonesia. Even though the latest social and political convulsion propelled by the financial crisis demonstrated that governments in the region have not done enough to build up their "national resilience" during the bloom years, they are more than convinced that "national resilience" and national integrity are their main security concerns. No new military capability in the region will be able to assist in this nation- building process. It is exactly because of this desire to halt the emergence of any new military power/balance that many of these countries have tolerated and even welcome the presence of the United States in the region.
