Although the relationship between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has largely been an economic affair until now, it will cover political and security concerns in the years to come, according to ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong.

Ong said that calls for antiterror cooperation have mounted in the wake of a series of international terrorist attacks, including last year's bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

"Over the years, this area has been sensitively handled, given Japan's (pacifist) Constitution and public opinion," Ong said in an interview Monday with The Japan Times. "But as a result of international terrorism, there is a need to ask ourselves whether we can do more in this area."

Ong asserted that Japan and ASEAN will cooperate to ensure maritime safety, curb drug-trafficking and tackle other areas in an effort to counter terrorism.

The Singapore native was in Tokyo to attend a preparatory meeting ahead of the Japan-ASEAN summit in Tokyo on Dec. 11 and 12. The preparatory talks ended Tuesday.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and all ASEAN leaders, including new Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will attend the first summit to be held outside the ASEAN region.

Ong, 49, described the Japan-ASEAN summit as a good opportunity for the two sides to develop ties and establish an equal partnership -- as opposed to the donor-recipient relationship of the past.

Japan has been a major provider of official development assistance in Southeast Asia, though its aid has decreased over the past few years due to the nation's severe economic situation.

Japan can also help ASEAN connect with Western nations, thereby allowing the latter to participate in various international organizations and help in health crises, such as the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Although Ong welcomed the idea of creating an Asian version of the European Union, tentatively called the East Asian Community, which will be proposed by Japan during next month's summit, he said it would take time for a plan of this kind to be carried out.

He said it would not be easy to come together quickly because each nation has its own priorities in terms of developing its society and economy.

"It is best to evolve gradually," Ong said. "If you try to force it, you will get an adverse reaction."

Ong proposed a step-by-step approach in paving the way for establishing the East Asian Community, beginning with economic cooperation and academic exchanges and moving gradually on to politics.

The key point, Ong said, is to establish convenient travel throughout the region to promote business and tourism activities. This interchange would facilitate a move toward sharing common goals, he said.

He acknowledged that some leaders believe the process of fostering the East Asian Community should be accelerated, while others are reluctant to do so. Yet the important point is that everyone is aiming to achieve this goal at some point or another, he said.

While Ong welcomes China's eagerness to hold close ties with ASEAN, he is apparently concerned that the communist state may have too much influence on the Asian region.

"Our approach is multilateral," he said. "We believe we need to balance (China's) relation with major trading partners of ASEAN."