Registration is now being accepted for the 37th Sustainable Shared Growth Seminar to be held on April 10th, through the collaboration of the Institute for Northeast Asian Future, Cpaf Uplb, and SGRA PH Sekiguchi Global Research Association of Atsumi Zaidan.
Title： East Asia Dynamics
Date and Time： April 10th, 2023（Monday）10:00～13:00 (Japan Time) / 9:00～12:00 (Philippine Time)
Venue： Atsumi Foundation Hall （Tokyo） & Online （Zoom meeting）
Charge： Free
Registration： Register from the KKK37 Registration Form
*A link for participation will be sent to those who have registered.
Host ： Atsumi International Foundation Sekiguchi Global Research Association （SGRA）
Co-hosts： College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
Co-hosts： Institute for Northeast Asian Future (INAF)
Inquiry： SGRA Secretariat
[email protected]
【Overview】
The World Bank's "East Asian Miracle Report" (1993), a study of the rapid growth achieved by eight East Asian countries, including Japan, was controversial in every sense of the word, but it should be noted that it focused on the theme of "growth and equity" as early as the report. This theme has recently gained popularity again with Thomas Piketty's "Capital in the 21st Century" (2014) and J.E. Stiglitz's "Price of Inequality" (2013). The unifying theme of this seminar series, inspired by this discussion, is "Shared Growth" (SHARED GROWTH), which refers to the simultaneous distribution of wealth and economic growth.
However, this seminar will focus on aspects not covered in the "East Asian Miracle Report," namely "regionalism" and "decentralization," in order to better understand the dynamics of economic development in East Asia from the perspective of "shared growth. The discussion of "regionalism" will focus on the positive aspects of the "Flying Geese Model," which was conceived by the Japanese researcher Akamatsu Kaname in the 1930s. This seminar will re-evaluate the significance of this theory in the development of the region, which in the 1980s gained renewed attention as an explanatory theory for the remarkable economic development of East Asia. Another trend that took place in East Asia in the 1990s was "decentralization”. Economic growth is supported by a society that sustains decentralization, which can be thought of as a mechanism for supporting and diffusing growth.
※KKK stands for Kahusayan (Efficiency), Katarungan (Equity), and Kalikasan (Environment), which represents the socio-economic goals of sustainable shared growth. It is also the name of the revolutionary organization that fought for the independence of the Philippines from Spain. For the Philippines, therefore, KKK stands for what is most noble in her traditions, and is very much against repression, albeit peacefully. We feel that the Philippines is in dire need of sustainable shared growth, and requires nothing short of a revolution in our ways of thinking and acting.
【Program】
Presentation1:
“Regionalization in East Asia”
by Dr. Hitoshi Hirakawa ……………...…..(INAF, SGRA/AISF, Nagoya University)
In today’s presentation, the presenter uses the term "regionalization" as a comprehensive concept that indicates regionalism, regional cooperation, regional integration, and their institutionalization in East Asia (Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia) in a broad sense. Regionalism had two origins. One is Northeast Asia (mainly Japan) and the other is Southeast Asia. Both coexisted before the Asian currency crisis, and since then the ASEAN+3 framework, born out of it, has paved the way for multilayered institutionalization and economic integration. However, regional economic integration through the leadership rivalry of major countries has become the driving force, and it is facing new challenges. This presentation provides an overview of regionalization in East Asia over the past century and attempts to draw lessons for today's issues.
Presentation2:
“Decentralization in East Asia”
by Dr. Max Maquito ………………………………...(CPAf/UPLB, SGRA/AISF)
We look at decentralization within nations as another force that defines the dynamics of East Asia. In my presentation, I will discuss whether decentralization is a substitute or complement to regionalization, another force that we think defines the dynamics of East Asia. I touch on two conditions whereby the two forces could be mutually complementary. The first condition pertains to the appropriate empowerment of the state. The state finds itself at the vortex of two conflicting forces, where it must find a suitable equilibrium. The second condition pertains to the existence of a common principle in these two forces that could feed on each other. One such common principle is that of shared growth.
Discussion:
Seminar Chair: Dr. Max Maquito………………….(CPAf/UPLB, SGRA/AISF)
“ Possible Future Research Directions:
Mutually Constitutive Regionalization and Decentralization,
ASEAN and Citizen Positioning”
by Atty. Damcelle Cortes ………………………………………..(CPAf/UPLB)
Regionalization and decentralization offer promising pathways for achieving shared growth. I offer another perspective for understanding their interface, that is that they are not just complementary but mutually constitutive. I further raise some insights and questions prompted by the presentations. One involves locating shared growth, ASEAN values and the citizen in the regionalization discourse. Another focuses on the nuanced and complex nature of decentralization.
“Regionalism by Local Governments and NGOs:
Experiences in the Northeast Asia Region”
by Gangzhe Li ………………………………………(INAF, SGRA/AISF)
With the collapse of the Cold War, regionalism began to gain momentum in the 1990s in the Northeast Asian region, where the socialist and capitalist camps used to be in conflict. Although decentralization processes varied, international regional development projects that transcended national borders were launched and moves toward the formation of sub-regional economic zones (SREZ) gained momentum. I believe that these international regional development projects are contributing to shared growth, as some progress has been made in decentralization along with the formation of SREZ.Dr.
“Case study of decentralization in Indonesia"
by Dr. Jakfar Idrus …………………………(Kokushikan University, SGRA/AISF)
Although at first glance regionalism/regional integration and decentralization appear to be conflicting concepts, this study provides an innovative and new theoretical framework and argues that both concepts are mutually influential. It is necessary to clarify that decentralization as a mechanism for shared growth is a multifaceted issue. In Indonesia, decentralization at the local level has resulted in the concentration of power, wealth, and resources. Therefore, we must look at aspects of its implementation, not just administrative and fiscal decentralization. While state empowerment is certainly an important factor, community empowerment is also a core and critical issue for shared growth to be achieved.
Closing Remarks:
Dr. Max Maquito…………………………………(CPAf/UPLB, SGRA/AISF)
See programme for more details.
Programme in English
Programme in Japanese
Website in Japanese
We hope to see you and your friends at the seminar!
