Constructing an ‘East Asian’ concept and growing regional identity: from EAEC to ASEAN+3

Abstract The concept of East Asia as a region is relatively new. Until the appearance of the abortive East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC) idea, which was put forward by Prime Minister Mahathir of Malaysia in the early 1990s, there was no strong conceptual framework for regionalism in East Asia as a whole. At that time, the idea of an integrated East Asia, joining Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia in regional unity, was not yet firmly enough established to gain the consensus necessary to form a regional institution based on the larger framework. Following the constructivist approach, which emphasizes the significance of analysing how regional 'togetherness' can be strengthened and how this influences the formation of a regional institution, this article examines how and why the first proposal for East Asian regionalism, EAEC, failed to be realized, and then analyses the successful establishment and development of ASEAN+3. The article stresses the significance of the emergence and increasing acceptance of the concept of East Asia, and identifies factors such as the Asian financial crisis and the development of regionalism in other regions which helped to promote the self-other distinction necessary for the formation of an East Asian identity. Further, it emphasizes that the strengthened bond among the countries of the region can be attributed partly to the successful establishment of the ASEAN+3 meetings. The article also highlights Japan's growing involvement in ASEAN+3, an approach which contrasts sharply with its lukewarm attitudes towards EAEC. Japan's push for the promotion of ASEAN+3 can be seen as a major factor behind the development of this regionalism. Finally, this article discusses whether a truly East Asia regional institution such as an East Asian Free Trade Agreement is likely to emerge. Keywords: Asean+3EaecConstructivismEast AsiaRegional ConceptRegional Identity