The Third Bali Democracy Forum: Japan Proposes Further Cooperation for Elections

December 10,2010

Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the Third Bali Democracy Forum held on December 9 and 10, 2010. Many ministerial-level representatives from Asian countries, including foreign ministers, have been attending the forum each year since it was established in December 2008 on the initiative of Indonesia as an intergovernmental forum for the promotion and development of democracy. In 2009, Dr. Yukio Hatoyama, then Prime Minister of Japan, served as Co-chair of the forum along side Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia.

During the Leaders' Session this year, Minister Maehara delivered a speech entitled "Democracy in Diversity - Building on Asia's Unique Strength -". In his statement, Minister Maehara stressed that the basis for promoting and deepening democracy in Asia would be provided by realizing peace, stability, and prosperity through vigorous development in the region. To that end, he continued to point out that there exist three key issues; that is, (1) continuation of vital economic development, (2) promotion of regional cooperation, and (3) securing stability in the region.

Minister Maehara also stressed the need to respect diversity in Asia. He said, "One characteristic of Asia as a diverse society is its tendency to make progress in a steady and patient manner enabling everyone to participate in the process with confidence. The development of Asia to date is proof that this approach produces valuable results." The Minister reported that as a part of the "Election Visits Program" that Japan proposed in the 2009 forum, working-level election officials from Asian countries were invited to Japan on the occasion of the House of Councillors election, which took place in July 2010 and held a seminar about democracy for the participants to learn about democracy and the Japanese electoral system. Furthermore, he stated that Japan would once again carry out the "Election Visits Program" and host a seminar for working-level election officials in April 2011, when the Tokyo gubernatorial election takes place. Minister Maehara proposed that an "Election Training Program" be implemented in Bali through international cooperation.

The countries represented at the forum highly praised Minister Maehara's speech for being forward-looking and substantive. Japan's concrete proposals, including the "Election Training Program," were incorporated in the Chairman's Statement of the Third Bali Democracy Forum.