The purpose of this paper is to discuss how a human security perspective helps reconstruct some of the policy issues in a manner that inspire innovative policy responses. One important point to note is that, since the task of promoting human security knows no national or other boundaries, what this paper suggests should be applicable to the areas other than East Asia. Another point to note is that unlike the preceding notions with "security" such as national and social security, the human security perspective cast the state as such in a much broader framework where other actors or agents are given weighty roles in policy making. Finally, nonetheless, East Asia does stand out for its diversity in policy issues, and as such it offers an excellent theatre in which to examine relevance of a human security perspective.

The 21st century center of excellence program "Policy innovation initiative: human security research in Japan and Asia"