The Quandaries of Japan’s Free Trade Agreement Strategy

　　Abstract: Owing to its unique strategic considerations, Japan has always preferred the free trade processes within the GATT/WTO framework over regional cooperatives. With changes to its domestic conditions and external environment, Japan has since abandoned its erstwhile passive stance to actively pursue an FTA strategy. Nonetheless, as a reluctant participant in the FTA processes, Japan’s strategy is besieged with problems. These inherent tensions have made implementation a challenging task for Tokyo. Not only is Japan’s strategic quandaries detrimental to its own future developments, they are bound to affect regional cooperation in East Asia. 

　　Authors: Zhao Fang, Professor, Department of International Economics, Economics School of Jilin University