YES, IT CAN BE FORMED BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHO LEAD THE COMMUNITY. SEE THE JAPANESE ATTITUDE AND ACTIVENESS IN BEING THE LEADING ROLE, WILL OTHER VICTIMS OF WW2 ACCEPT?? LEAVE ALONE NS KOREAS AND CHINA IN PARTICULAR.
I have been away for a short hiatus, but I would like to share my thoughts on this matter.
The new government of Japan is very wise in being able to see the value of a united East Asian Community. In particular, the earlier this becomes a reality the better for Japan. China also is in the mood for this, but is not is such a hurry as Nippon. Regarding the Koreas, they too would benefit and love to be part.
Let me elaborate further: Japan's world influence and economy now rests solely in the hands of the Middle Kingdom, as it has been for THOUSANDS of years. I was told by an older Japanese fellow, that "Japan is run by businessmen, not politicians". All influential businessmen realize this reality -- and Japan's future is becoming increasingly dependent on China. Thus, 99% of Nihonjin welcome this new harmonious future.
Let's keep in mind that 98% of Japanese are not the same 'blood thristy' Imperialists of the past, and the remainder 2% have been pushed aside (though still pose a threat to world peace). With that in mind, we need to "forgive-yet-not-forget".
This EAC will be beneficial to all peoples. Expansion of EAC will naturally lead to ASEAN with Viet Nam being the best candidate (as it was a Chinese kingdom only a century ago!). The key lies in Viet Nam, which will open the doors to the rest of ASEAN. Pinoys are also good candidates as their warm affinity for their Oriental ancestors is very strong -- I grew up in a Pinoy neighborhood, went to school full of Pinoys, friends of many, MANY Pinoys, and talk to Pinoy strangers on work visas. Out of the ASEANS, Pinoys are most warm towards China and Japan and Korea. They also view themselves as Chinese descendents, and interestingly enough they don't harbor animosity (except towards Yankees).