Paper short abstract:

While perspective of state security is dominant in East Asia, many types of stakeholders have engaged in various practices addressing human security without using the term explicitly. This paper uncovers diverse understandings of "human security" and different perceptions of threats in the region.

Paper long abstract:

While the perspective of traditional state security is dominant in East Asia, national and local stakeholders have engaged in various practices addressing human security without using the term explicitly. Given the variety of East Asian nations in terms of nature, culture, history and political regimes, the interpretations of localized human security and to some extent border-crossing downside risks in this region are extremely diverse. This paper is based on the outcome of the research project on "Human Security in East Asia" commissioned by the JICA-RI (the Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute). Experienced scholars from China, South Korea, Japan, and eight out of ten ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) have analyzed how stakeholders understand the concept of human security and what downside risks are being prioritized in each country. Even though East Asia enjoys relative peace for the moment, a large number of people are still affected by serious natural disasters, emerging infectious diseases as well as remaining unsolved violent conflicts, saddled with extreme poverty, or deprived of basic freedoms. In this paper, particular interactions between people and the states, as well as a "soft paternalistic" relationship between them that could be viewed as a feature of Eastern political culture and underlying understanding of human security will be examined. While the role of the states in protecting citizens is acknowledged, cultural implications of the term, "empowerment", tend to evoke mixed reactions in East Asia. Finally, the localized notions of dignity are explored.