Commentary / World Jan 13, 2021
Asia’s rise doesn’t necessarily mean the West’s decline
by Yoichi Funabashi
The post-pandemic world is no simple seesaw game in which East Asia rises and the West falls.
Commentary / World Dec 18, 2020
Biden should look to Obama's Asia-Pacific trade strategies
by Kazuhito Yamashita
As president-elect Joe Biden prepares for his inauguration, the international community is anticipating how the incoming administration will approach free trade.
Commentary / World Dec 7, 2020
RCEP has its limits when it comes to saving multilateral trade
by Lee Jong-Wha
The RCEP’s real significance lies in China’s participation. It is the first regional multilateral trade agreement the country has joined.
Commentary / Japan Nov 25, 2020
Is China a free trader or just a free rider?
by Kuni Miyake
On issues of market access for goods, if China wants to join CPTPP, it must negotiate from scratch with all 11 members.
Editorials Nov 19, 2020
The U.S. absence in both the RCEP and CPTPP partnerships obliges Japan to show leadership to direct both agreements toward integration, openness, good governance and the rule of law.
Business / Economy Nov 19, 2020
China’s Xi vows no decoupling in call to reject protectionism
President Xi Jinping pledged that China wouldn’t engage in decoupling, in an address to Asia-Pacific leaders in Kuala Lumpur just days after the region inaugurated the world’s largest free-trade agreement. Xi’s speech during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits Thursday came as he — and the world ...
Business / Economy | ANALYSIS Nov 16, 2020
Japan hopes RCEP deal pushes Biden and U.S. to rejoin trade frameworks
by Junko Horiuchi
The trade pact could create momentum for a shift away from the protectionism pushed by Trump and a return to multilateralism.
Business Nov 16, 2020
Japan businesses expect RCEP deal to boost Asia trade and investment
RCEP, covering some 46% of Japan's total trade, will be the country's first trade deal with both China, its largest trading partner, and South Korea, its third largest.
National / Politics | FYI Nov 15, 2020
What does RCEP mean for Japan and its Asian neighbors?
by Eric Johnston
On Sunday, 15 nations in the Asia-Pacific region signed the world’s newest multilateral trade deal, the massive Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Business Nov 15, 2020
Japan, China and other Asian nations sign massive RCEP trade pact
The pact includes Japan, China and members of ASEAN and will cover nearly a third of the global economy.
National / Politics Nov 14, 2020
The United States on Friday urged Japan and South Korea to speak out against China's treatment of minority Muslims and its actions toward Hong Kong and Taiwan, despite their trading relationships with Beijing. The unusually blunt comments directed at close U.S. allies came from Marc ...