The Objectives and Methods

    The ultimate aim of the project is to estimate, construct, and compile sets of macro economic, historical statistics for the greater Asia, which meet the following two conditions, i.e. that (1) each component of the series in a given regional subgroup ( a country, in most cases ) remains consistent with other components within the subgroup ("internal" consistency ), and that (2) the regional series are comparable across time and space ("external" consistency ) . Efforts are being made to start the series as far back as the mid nineteenth century and to complete them through 1990. In principle, the work will be confined to the compilation of annual time series for the very simple reason that it is the only practical method for compiling historical data covering a large variety of nations over such an extensive time period.

    In order to satisfy the "internal" consistency condition of historical statistics, the ASHSTAT has adopted the 1968 scheme of the System of National Accounts ( SNA for short ) , as advocated by the Statistical Office of the United Nations ( 1968b ). In other words, consistency in this sense is to be established in reference to the current social accounting practices.

    Not all the Asian countries are included in the work of compilation ; nor can their statistical resources necessarily cover the entire stipulated time period. Moreover, strict comparability, both time and space wise, is difficult to maintain. These difficulties notwithstanding, it is deemed essential, as a matter of the philosophy of the project, to abide with those basic working principles for reasons which I shall explain later.