Japan and ASEAN: Partnership for a Stable and Prosperous Future

2. The Fukuda Doctrine

3 2 The Fukuda Doctrine ASEAN was formed by five countries in 1967. Japan, after recovering from the devastation caused by its defeat in WWII, achieved rapid economic growth through the 1960s and 1970s. This pushed Japan into the position of an economic power. In the meantime, Japan started to provide ODA to Southeast Asian countries. Since the 1950s, Japanese companies have been investing heavily in Southeast Asian countries. This economic advancement sometimes caused strong public backlashes in some countries. “Anti-Japanese riots” took place in 1975 when then Prime Minister Tanaka visited Bangkok and Jakarta. The cause of these riots seemed complex and have not been fully explained. Some claimed 4 Takaaki Kojima the activities of Japanese companies were a resurgence of the Japanese invasion, this time by economic means. On the other hand, ASEAN, having witnessed the collapse of South Vietnam and the decreased presence of the United States in the region, faced the threat of the advancement of the communist bloc. ASEAN member countries tried to reinforce the initiatives and activities of ASEAN and held the first ASEAN summit in 1976. Against this backdrop, then Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda delivered his famous policy speech in Manila, setting out the vision of a basic philosophical framework for Japan’s relationship with ASEAN, after meeting with ASEAN leaders in Kuala Lumpur in 1977. This is what has come to be known as “the Fukuda Doctrine”. There were three pillars in the doctrine. First, Japan, a nation committed to peace, resolved to contribute to the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia and the world, and avoid becoming a great military power despite its economic and technological capabilities. Second, Japan, as a true friend of Southeast Asian countries, would do its best to strengthen the relationship of mutual 5 confidence and trust based on “heart-to-heart” understanding, and become an equal partner of ASEAN and its member countries. Third, Japan aimed to foster a relationship based on mutual understanding with the nations of Indochina, and thus contribute to the building of peace and prosperity throughout the region. Japan was determined to cooperate with them in their own efforts to strengthen their solidarity and resilience. The Fukuda Doctrine ...