By Shinya Ajima
     For many Japanese, closeness to other Asian countries may mean eating Chinese food at Tokyo restaurants or swooning over good-looking Korean film stars. But for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, it means proposing the creation of an ''East Asian community.''
     The proposal, widely spread after Hatoyama took office in September, was generally welcomed when he joined the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum this weekend in Singapore. But some experts say the seemingly favorable reaction may only be a result of the idea's ambiguity.
     Recently heated debates in APEC are mainly focusing on which countries should be in or out of a future multilateral framework in Asia, and therefore the attempt to seek what Hatoyama calls ''fraternity'' in the region is on the verge of becoming no more than a competition for influence between big economies.
     Instead of defining the still-ambiguous community concept, what Japan should do first is listen to smaller economies in the area and ensure that they benefit from regional economic integration.
     The chance to show that Japan can be a good mediator will come soon. Japan will assume the rotating chairmanship of the 21-member APEC and host its series of meetings next year.
     APEC, which accounts for more than half of the global economic output, groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
     The tasks for the chair in 2010 include developing a comprehensive economic growth strategy for APEC, helping achieve sustainable and ''inclusive'' growth, as proposed by Singapore, this year's host, and enabling both developed and developing members and all segments of society to see the benefits of the economic integration.
     As the chair of APEC, Japan has to lead the fight against protectionism and promote trade liberalization. Since free trade and globalization sometimes cause conflicts of interest, Japan must also review whether the zeal of APEC for globalization and free trade since its establishment in 1989 has caused any disadvantage to its less-developed members.
     Seeking inclusiveness in future economic growth is a sign of APEC's reflection of its past failures that have caused serious gaps in development among its members, said Junichi Sugawara, an official at the Tokyo-based Mizuho Research Institute.
     ''As the APEC chair, Japan must not be the mouthpiece of powerful member economies. Now is the time when small developing countries should be listened to and involved in the process for further development,'' Sugawara said.
      As for deepening APEC's regional integration, Japan is better positioned than in the recent past. Its connection with other Asian nations has been enhanced in recent years. It holds annual summits with China and South Korea as well as with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is also a member of the East Asia Summit, which groups the 13 countries plus India, Australia and New Zealand.
     The economic outlook suggests that Japan being actively part of Asia is good for its own prosperity as well. The International Monetary Fund said last month the region's economy is bouncing back from the global crisis rapidly, projecting a growth of 2.8 percent in 2009 and 5.8 percent in 2010 against an earlier 1.2 percent and 4.3 percent rise.
     The Japanese government has concluded a free-trade agreement with ASEAN and will accelerate efforts to reach a similar accord with China and South Korea.
     In view of that aspect, some analysts say the linking between the 13 nations can be the start of Hatoyama's East Asian community.
     ''Considering appropriate geographical boundaries, East Asia must be the 10 plus three,'' said Liu Jiangyong, a professor at the Institute of International Studies at China's Tsinghua University. ''We should start with that grouping and then make additional steps such as the expansion of the area of their integration or membership.''
     The United States is widely seen to be pressing for Asia's economic integration based on larger groupings like the East Asia Summit or APEC. But Liu said putting India or Australia in ''East Asia'' is simply a sign of Washington hoping to check China using its allies, warning any political intention could only hinder pure economic integration.
     Japan's strong link with the United States makes things complicated. ''The Japan-U.S. alliance serves economic and political stability in Asia,'' Hatoyama said Saturday in a speech to Asia-Pacific corporate executives. Just the previous day, he confirmed the position with U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited Japan before flying to Singapore.
     Some Japanese experts say that not only Japan's history of its wartime colonial rule in parts of Asia, but also its relatively early economic success may have resulted in psychological distance between the country and its Asian neighbors. Japan is the only Asian member of the Group of Seven advanced economies, which have led global finance, and the Group of Eight major powers which has taken initiative in significant international issues.
     But the landscape has been changing since the latest economic crisis, which was mainly caused as a result of the collapse of financial systems in developed economies, especially in the United States and Europe. To counter the turmoil, a larger grouping is emerging -- the Group of 20 -- also joined by such economies as China, India and South Korea.
     The rise of the G-20 is a factor turning global attention to Asia.
     ''Honestly, Asian governments and central banks are not as rushed in attempting to fix something, compared with the U.S. and European authorities,'' a senior Japanese official said on condition of anonymity.
     ''It takes a very long time...Japan has to explain that to the U.S. and European governments as a representative of Asia,'' the official said.
==Kyodo