Trust, Identity and Conflict in Northeast Asia – Barriers to Positive Relationships

Abstract

This introductory chapter introduces readers to the Northeast Asian region and asks why economic integration, which has generated peace and stability for the last twenty-five years, seems unable to contain growing incompatibilities between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The central argument is that economic ties, while important, cannot negate unresolved painful memories and war histories nor generate sustainable reconciliation or deal effectively with negative stereotypes and prejudice between the leaders and peoples of all three countries. To do this requires much closer attention to the development of satisfiers of popular and national identity needs, alongside bilateral and regional de-escalatory dynamics, which will enable states and peoples in the region to think in terms of future-oriented integrative relationships capable of dealing with painful history in order to create a peaceful present and future.