The Logic of Japan's Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with ASEAN

Abstract

Among political scientists, Japan's free trade agreements (FTA)

Strategic choices of bilateral and multilateral preferential trade agreements: empirical analysis

“…As a result, Tokyo has primarily sought a bilateral form in order to assert the particular interest in the context of PTAs. In exchange, the nation usually provides partner countries with developmental assistance and other programs to accommodate their needs (Dent, 2005; Yamamoto, 2012, 2013).…”

“…For instance, the Japanese External Trade Organization has found that <50% of eligible users have utilized Japan's bilateral PTAs over the last decade. It is due to the offset benefits of PTAs through the voluntary application process for using the agreements, floating exchange rates, complicated rules of origin and other mechanisms that allow firms to trade ‘freely’ without the agreements (Ravenhill, 2010; Yamamoto, 2012). Hence, this article expects joint WTO membership between states to stimulate bilateral PTAs.…”