As we greet the new millennium, we should ask ourselves what Japan should do to contribution to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, establish military and nonmilitary security, help solve global problems and prevent conflicts.
Ten years after the end of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry of the Cold War, a new international order has yet to be established. Around the world, religious and ethnic conflicts are rampant, giving rise to serious refugee problems. Japan needs to develop a multitiered approach to promote regional stability, make more contributions to international security and push preventive diplomacy.
Asia is plagued by two points of instability — North Korea and Indonesia. Last November, there was a major development to stabilize the region. The 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, China and South Korea agreed at a summit in Manila to "promote dialogue and to deepen and consolidate collective efforts" to advance peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia and the world, according to a joint statement. The conferees agreed to enhance "self-help and support mechanisms in East Asia through the ASEAN-plus-three framework" in order to prevent a recurrence of the Asian currency turmoil. These agreements could lead to a comprehensive framework for cooperation in East Asia.