JAPAN

The success of Japan as an industrialised country during the 20th century was achieved through an export manufacturing strategy. Unlike South Korea, the Japanese government had secured access to raw materials throughout the 20th century through colonial conquest in the early 20th century, and in the post-war years, through the deployment of trade and industrial strategies toward third countries. Similar to Korea, the use of selective state intervention and industrial policies were instrumental in its technological catch up especially with the West from the post-war years onwards.

However, the rise of China has impacted Japan’s position in the international political economy, threatening its industrial competitiveness and causing geopolitical anxieties. Our work package examines how the Japanese government and multinationals are formulating their strategies in response to the U.S.-China strategic competition.