The time is right for an E.U. style union in Asia. The sluggish global economy makes it a good time for building economic unions because political leaders are apt to be open minded to possibilities that will improve their economies.
The first step in such a union would be the coming together of China, Japan, North and South Korea and Taiwan. This initial union can be informal and gradually develop into a more formal arrangement over time approaching what we now know as the E.U.
During this transition from informal to formal the union can open up membership to include Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and other countries.
Naturally there will be some suspicion at first among the partners but this will dissipate over time. The union will bring greater prosperity to the region along with lasting peace as any perceived threat among the partners become neutralized by the union’s very existence.
This may seem like a major development but it is actually just another step toward a unified world where all nations maintain their respective identities while joining together in peace and prosperity.