• Abstract

As Japan returns to center stage—”Japan is back!”—, East Asia has evolved into a region of closer political and strategic cooperation and economic integration. The new landscape with new architectures of cooperation is full of dynamism, but not devoid of challenges. Major powers are converging on East Asia, as the region has become more important to the global community than a couple of decades ago when Japan effectively left the turf and focused more on her own internal　affairs. What would it take for Japan to reclaim her place in a new Asia? How would the power rivalry play itself out as economic competition picks up the pace and gains intensity? What role will China, India and ASEAN play in supporting Japan’s return to the regional stage? How will the simmering security situation in the Korean Peninsula affect Japan’s determination to reclaim her rightful place in East Asia? These are some of the issues that will be explored by Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, former Secretary-General of ASEAN and currently a Senior Fellow at GRIPS.

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• Review

At the 76th GRIPS Forum on April 15, 2013, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Former Secretary-General of ASEAN, gave a lecture titled “New Japan in a New Asia.” He talked not only about ASEAN and South Asia, but also about Japan’s direction and future. Many questions were raised during the Q&A session.