Japan’s Free Trade Agreement Strategy Choice:The China-Japan-ROK FTA or TPP?
Author: Ni YuejuSilver Editor Source: Contemporary Asia Pacific StudiesTime :2014-04-08 15:14:00
Abstract: The article employs analytical tools from international political economy to assess the political and economic factors behind Japan’s FTA initiatives. On this basis, it considers the probability of Japan participating in the China-Japan-ROK FTA and TPP negotiations. Based on traditional interests, Japan prefers signing the China-Japan-ROK FTA in order to obtain economic benefits from rapidly growing China and South Korea. From the vantage point of non-traditional benefits such as leadership, national security and interest groups, Japan has no choice but to seriously consider TPP. Given the present and likely long term maritime disputes between China, Japan and the ROK, from a political point of view, the realization of FTA between the three states is extremely difficult. If Japan must make a choice between the two, it will likely prefer TPP.
