Editorial 

 

Greetings from the Journal of ASEAN Studies. We are glad to reach the readers with the 

publication of this Volume 4 Issue 2, 2016. We are pleased to stay on track in contributing to 

the development of knowledge and debates pertaining to the political, social, economic, and 

security issues in Southeast Asia. In this issue, there are six interesting manuscripts that 

consist of four article, one practice note, and one book review. In this issue, we do not offer a 

specific line of theme as the topics brought into this issue greatly vary. 

The first article with this issue aims to analyze the economic integration in Southeast Asia. 

Written by Kiki Verico, “The Key Factors of Economic Integration in Southeast Asia: Case of 

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand” analyzes intra-regional trade and an economic community 

as two of the titular factors. The article observes intra-regional trade in three selected 

countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand; while it analyzes the economic community by 

focusing on Indonesia as a case study. The article finds that free trade agreement is effective 

to increase intra-regional trade but not effective to attract investment, and that the private 

sector is ready for the economic community. 

The second article attempts to discuss ASEAN-China relations. The article by Wai Ting 

titled, “Increasing Economic Interdependence between China and ASEAN and Its Implications” 

studies the problems and issues of China's relations with ASEAN, which has achieved the 

establishment of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. The article considers the 

institutional framework of China-ASEAN relations and addresses the implications of the 

increasing economic interdependence between the two. It also examines China's recent 

policy in developing ‚One Belt, One Road‛ and Chinese relations with the U.S.-led Trans-

Pacific Partnership, as well as their implications to ASEAN. 

The third article explores a different aspect of ASEAN, namely its socio-cultural pillar. 

Written by Jerry Indrawan, “ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) in Conflict Prevention: 

The Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)” argues that the obstacles faced by ASEAN in 

the implementation of ASEAN Community can benefit from this pillar alongside the role of 

CSOs. The ASCC can provide the means to involve CSOs in conflict prevention efforts, and 

CSOs can also take a significant role in peacebuilding efforts. Therefore, it is important that 

ASEAN states include CSOs as an integral part of conflict prevention. 

The fourth article takes a detour from Southeast Asia to explore events in the northeast. The 

article by Ria Putri Santoso and Anak Agung Banyu Perwita titled, “The Shift and Continuity 

of Japanese Defense Policy: Revolutionary Enough?” studies the shift in Japanese defense policy 

during its past three Prime Ministers: Naoto Kan, Yoshihiko Noda, and Shinzo Abe. The 

article contends that in the face of North Korea’s and China’s threats, the significant changes 

in Japanese defense policy during Abe’s administration are not particularly revolutionary, 

but are continuity from his predecessors despite opposing political backgrounds. 

The section of practice note consists of a manuscript on ASEAN nuclear security. Written by 

Mutti Anggitta, “ASEAN’s Role in Shaping Nuclear Security Future in the Region” discusses the 

potential future of nuclear security in Southeast Asia by examining the roles of ASEAN in 

establishing and maintaining regional cooperation on nuclear security. The recent ‘nuclear 

renaissance’ in Southeast Asia brings new security challenges in the region, and the 



manuscript offers insights into what steps that ASEAN has already taken and what practices 

that ASEAN can take in the near future to alleviate the challenges. 

Lastly, this issue publishes our first section of book review titled, ““Think Globally, Act 

Locally:” The State Transformation Approach in Governing Borderless Security Threats.” Written 

by by Lidya Christin Sinaga, the review of Shahar Hameiri and Lee Jones’ 2015 book, 

Governing Borderless Threats: Non-Traditional Security and the Politics of State Transformation 

demonstrates how the authors propose new style of governance of the Non-Traditional 

Security (NTS) issues. The review praises the importance and relevance of the topic, but 

criticizes the generalization of their findings. Nonetheless, the book is still credited to 

propose the State Transformation approach as a new approach in the study of security 

governance in International Relations. 

Together with the publication of this issue, we welcome two newly joined international 

advisory board members of this journal. First, Associate Professor Alfons Palangkaraya from 

Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, who has strong expertise in innovation, 

intellectual property rights, globalization, and firm performance. Second, Associate 

Professor Nanthakumar Loganathan from the Faculty of Management, Universiti Teknologi 

Malaysia, who has specialization in development economics, resource economics, and 

tourism economics. Their addition will strengthen the position and direction of this journal. 

 

Jakarta, 30 December 2016 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Tirta N. Mursitama, Ph.D. 

Editor-in-chief