Registration is now being accepted for the 75th SGRA Forum/45th Sustainable Shared Growth Seminar "East Asia Citizens Dialogue" to be held on April 12th.
We hope to see you and your friends at the seminar!
The 75th SGRA Forum/45th Sustainable Shared Growth Seminar
East Asia Citizens Dialogue Exploring the Possibility of Local-to-Local Across Border Schemes
■ Date and Time： April 12th, 2025（Saturday）14:00～17:00 (Japan Time)
■ Venue： J.F. Oberlin University Shinjuku Campus（Tokyo） & Online （Zoom webinat）
■ Charge： Free
■ Registration： Please register from here
Host：75th SGRA Forum Executive Committee
Co-Host：Sekiguchi Global Research Association/Atsumi International Foundation
College of Global Communication/J.F. Oberlin University
Faculty of Management and Development Studies/UPOP *
*University of the Philippines Open University
Inquiry： SGRA Office [
[email protected] ]
【Overview】
Geographically speaking, East Asia is composed of both Northeast Asia (Japan, China, and South Korea) and Southeast Asia (ASEAN member states), and shares the ASEAN+3 (Japan, China, and South Korea) vision of "East Asian Integration," which can be said to be the manifestation of the principle of "harmony in diversity." East Asia has made great strides toward this vision, but there is no denying that recent events involving China have derailed the region's progress toward this vision.
The Local-to-Local-Across Border Schemes (LLABS) was formally termed as part of a collaboration of Dr. Ferdinand Maquito with the Faculty of Management and Development Studies of the University of the Philippines Open University as part of its Community of Nations, Nation of Communities (CNNC) course. It was inspired, in part, by Dr. Maquito’s research on the role of Local Government Units (LGUs) in the ASEAN+3 Vision. Through the CNNC course, the concept and implementation has grown in coverage to include local communities and other forms of LGUs.
In this forum, in cooperation with the College of Global Communication at J.F. Oberlin University and SGRA, we will discuss the LLABS concept, which has been considered mainly in the Philippines, with researchers from Northeast Asia, and explore the feasibility of its realization.
The event will be held in a hybrid format of on-site and online, and co-hosted with University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).
【Program】
■■■ Opening Greetings
Dr. Li Enmin (Dean, College of Global Communication/J.F. Oberlin University)
■■■ Keynote Speech
“Overview and Significance of LLABS”
Dr. Ferdinand C. Maquito (Faculty of Management and Development Studies [FMDS], University of the Philippines Open University [UPOU], Lecturer)
At the background of LLABS are two dynamic forces that are sweeping across East Asia: regional integration, such as the ASEAN+3 initiative, and local decentralization, wherein political and fiscal authority are being devolved to local government units. Such developments raised the question as to whether these two forces could be treated as substitutes or complements. The possibility of regional integration failing to move ahead with its agenda is a very real one, given, for example, the on-going conflict in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea. In such cases, it is proposed that a LLABS could offer a way forward in cases where there is a stalemate. In other cases, LLABS could provide an additional mechanism for both forces to move forward. Either case presents the possibility of regional integration and local decentralization to be complementary by leveraging LLABS. A case study is presented wherein a LLABS is being pursued by UPOU involving two local communities. One is Fujino in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The other is the municipality of Maahas, Los Baños, in the Laguna Province, Philippines. The latter local community is home to UPOU, from which the LLABS initiative is being pursued.
■■■ Discussion
● Discussion１ “ASEAN+3 and Japan: The Possibility of LLABS”
“Community Collaboration: Lessons from the Growth Triangle, Chinatown, and ‘Curry Immigrants’”
Dr. Sato Koichi (Professor, College of Liberal Arts/J.F. Oberlin University)
The Local and Regional Community Partnerships across Borders (LLABS) initiative is a dream come true, but also difficult. As for the ASEAN growth triangle initiative, the conditions for success include a vertical division of labor between developed regions such as the NIEs and developing regions, the presence of good ports, proximity, a high level of infrastructure development and financial resources, and the absence of security issues. In addition, it is necessary to be able to ride the global trend of SCM (supply chain management). To date, of the three triangles, only the southern triangle can be said to have been a clear success. As for small community collaboration within Japan, there are both success stories and failure stories, such as Chinatown and curry immigrants.
Issues include whether foreign workers can overcome language, religion, and cultural barriers to integrate into Japanese society, how much effort Japan is making to accept them, and whether there are sufficient educational opportunities for immigrant children. It is necessary to reach an agreement and aim for mutual understanding and common benefit. Japan's Chinatowns are also shrewd in promoting Chinese culture and becoming successful tourist spots.
● Discussion 2 “ASEAN+3 and China: The Possibility of LLABS”
“Cross-Border Development Cooperation and Local Government International Cooperation Framework in China and Northeast Asia”
Dr. Lee Kotetsu（Head, Institute for Northeast Asian Future）
Regionalism in Northeast Asia began to rise around the 1990s, coinciding with the collapse of the Cold War and the revitalization of cross-border regional development. Various cross-border regional development projects were launched, and movements to form sub-regional economic zones emerged, which became a major driving force behind the economic growth of the region.
(1) The Concept of the International Economic Zone around the Japan Sea (1980s-1990s).
(2) The Tumen River Area Development Plan and Project (TRADP) (since 1991).
(3) The Concept of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea Economic Zone (since the 1990s).
(4) The Economic Zone Concept for the Four Regions on Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait: China’s Guangdong and Fujian Provinces, and Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau (since the 1990s).
(5) The Mekong River Basin Economic Zone Concept (GMS) (since 1991, including China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and five Southeast Asian countries).
Amid these developments, the "Northeast Asia Regional Municipalities Union" (an international organization) was established in 1996, and various frameworks for international exchanges between local governments were also created. This study explores how China’s local governments (municipalities) have supported regional economic growth and China’s rapid economic growth through the activation of cross-border platforms for economic and cultural exchanges between local governments.
● Discussion 3 “ASEAN+3 and South Korea: The Possibility of LLABS”
"Efforts of South Korean Local Governments in Forming International Regimes: A Case Study of the Korea-Japan-China Local Government Exchange Conference"
Dr. Nam Ki-jeong（Seoul University Japan Studies Center Head)
The Korea-Japan-China Local Government Exchange Conference (hereinafter referred to as "Japan-China-Korea" in consideration of the fact that the report is in Japanese) is a framework for cooperation between local governments of Korea, Japan, and China, aimed at promoting practical exchanges. It is jointly organized by three institutions: the Korea Metropolitan and Provincial Mayors' Association, the Japan International Municipal Association, and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The first conference was held in Seoul in 1999, and since then, the conference has been held annually in a rotating manner, with the 25th conference scheduled to take place in Gwangju, Korea, in 2024. Although the conference was postponed once in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a "postponement" for non-political reasons, and it has never been interrupted. The 2025 conference is set to be held in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China.
This report examines the efforts of the Korea Metropolitan and Provincial Mayors' Association toward the Japan-China-Korea Local Government Exchange Conference, as a case study, to explore the characteristics and significance of international regimes led by local governments in Northeast Asia. Specifically, there are two points of focus. The first is to explore the correlation with ASEAN+3. The Japan-China-Korea Local Government Exchange Conference began in 1999, two years after the establishment of ASEAN+3, at a time when Korea started to significantly focus on cooperation with ASEAN. Under the Kim Dae-jung administration, there was a move toward closer relations with ASEAN. It was during this period that Korean local governments began to engage in local diplomacy, with particular attention to the ASEAN model. This likely served as a driving force for the continuity of the conference.
The second point of exploration is a comparison with the Japan-China-Korea Summit. Since the first Japan-China-Korea Summit in 2008, the ninth summit is scheduled for 2024. However, there have been three interruptions in the summit: in 2013 and 2014, 2016 and 2017, and from 2020 to 2023. These interruptions were largely influenced by political circumstances. In contrast, the Japan-China-Korea Local Government Exchange Conference continued during these periods, and examining the efforts behind this continuity will provide valuable insights for peaceful coexistence in the region.
● Discussion 4 “ASEAN+3 and Taiwan: The Possibility of LLABS”
"Strong 'Non-Governmental' Ties Between Taiwan and Southeast Asia Beyond Political Constraints"
Dr. Lim Chuan-Tiong（Researcher, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo）
Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with the 10 ASEAN countries, nor is it part of "ASEAN+3," but the relationship between them is quite delicate and close. After World War II, Taiwan established diplomatic relations with eight Southeast Asian countries, but following the reversal of international status between China and Taiwan in the 1970s, Taiwan gradually severed diplomatic ties with these countries. However, Taiwan eventually achieved economic development as part of the "Asian NIEs" (Newly Industrializing Economies) along with South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and its economic expansion into Southeast Asia became increasingly prominent.
In 2016, under the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan introduced the "New Southbound Policy" to reduce its economic dependence on China. As a result, Taiwan's ties with Southeast Asia have deepened further, strengthening cross-border human and economic connections. In the future, cooperation in areas such as digital economy, healthcare, education, and labor migration will continue to be emphasized. On the other hand, the Singaporean military has conducted military training in Taiwan under the "Shining Star Project," and Taiwan has exercised de facto control over the largest naturally-formed landmass in the Spratly Islands, Taiping Island.
Overall, Taiwan's relationship with ASEAN faces challenges, such as China's pressure and the lack of free trade agreements (FTAs), but beyond political constraints, it has deepened substantial interdependence, and cross-border exchanges are expected to continue expanding in the future.
■■■ Free Discussion
● A Philippine Citizen’s Opinion
… Dr. Joane Serrano (University of the Philippines Open University, Professor)
● An Indonesian Citizen’s Opinion
… Dr. Jakfar Idrus (Kokushikan University, Full Time Lecturer)
● A Thai Citizen’s Opinion
… Mr. Motoki Luxmiwattana （Waseda University Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies)
■■■ Summary Remarks
Dr. Hitoshi Hirakawa (Nagoya University, Professor Emeritus）
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!
