The new development of the Japan-Korea FTA policy: Comparative study of the policymaking process

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26380223
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: International relations
• Research Institution: Meiji University
• Principal Investigator: KIM Jemma 明治大学, 国際日本学部, 講師 (70509562)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 日本 / 韓国 / TPP / FTA / 政策決定過程

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigates the new policy shifts in Japan and South Korea with regard to the TPP. It highlighted factors responsible for Japan's shift away from WTO-based multilateralism towards a bilateralism focused on free trade agreements (FTAs). Notwithstanding this, more recent Japanese FTA policies can be described in terms of a new trend away from bilateral agreements towards a “regional multilateralism.” While in government, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) announced its intention to join the TPP, shifting its focus away from conventional bilateral agreements. Japanese trade policy thus appears to have developed a double-layered structure, moving from bilateral FTAs towards multiparty FTAs. Why has this occurred? This study discusses the process behind Japan's involvement in the partnership.It examines events leading up to the proposal for Japan to participate in the TPP and the factors that facilitated the TPP process.

Free Research Field

社会科学