日本FTA战略的困惑

The Quandaries of Japan’s Free Trade Agreement Strategy

随着国内外环境的变化,日本开始逐渐放弃一贯坚持的多边自由贸易立场,转向FTA战略。但日本FTA战略的起步带有明显的被动性,这一点也反映在其FTA战略的具体动机上。日本推行的EPA模式也为其战略的实施带来了诸多困难。日本的FTA战略的走向不仅会对自身今后的发展产生重要影响,而且还将显著影响东亚区域合作的进程和走向。

Owing to its unique strategic considerations, Japan has always preferred the free trade processes within the GATT/WTO framework over regional cooperatives. With changes to its domestic conditions and external environment, Japan has since abandoned its erstwhile passive stance to ac- tively pursue an FTA strategy. Nonetheless, as a reluctant participant in the FTA processes, Japan＇s strategy is besieged with problems. These inherent tensions have made implementation a challenging task for Tokyo. Not only is Japan＇s strategic quandaries detrimental to its own future developments, they are bound to affect regional eooperation in East Asia.