Japan Creates Stronger Ties to Asian Neighbors
Kosuke Takahashi, Asia Times | January 8, 2009
Samurai-philosopher Fukuzawa's longstanding notion that Japan should "leave Asia and enter the West" is likely to fade in 2009. ++ "Tokyo needs to diversify diplomatic and economic relations." ++ Ruling party LDP may soon be replaced by opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who advocate multilateral cooperation. ++ "Japan's efforts to establish the East Asian Community - a proposed economic and political bloc equivalent to the European Union - by reconciling with Asian neighbors could lead to regional peace and security."


