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Objectives
This paper aims to clarify what Japan wants to achieve through bilateral free trade
agreements (FTAs), specifically, through the proposed economic partnership agreement
(EPA) with the Philippines. In particular, the paper looked at the general view of Japans
foreign policy goals vis--vis trade liberalization and bilateral free trade agreements; the
Japans foreign policy goals vis--vis the U.S., the E.U., South Asia, and ASEAN; and the
Philippines position in Japans hierarchy of valued partners with regards to bilateral free
trade agreements.
Conceptual Framework
The paper builds on the following premises:
1. Free trade agreement is only a major component of the proposed economic
cooperation. Japan, being a regional power, does not limit its foreign policy to
economic goals. Equally important as its economic goals are the cultural ones: to
promote Japanese culture abroad and to present to the world a positive image.
2. Japanese foreign policy, just like most other foreign policies, is rooted in domestic
socio-economic conditions, problems about which are in turn usually addressed
through foreign policy.
3. The Japanese Government still, and rightly so, perceives Japanese survival to be
greatly dependent on foreign trade and investment. Therefore, it actively pursues
trade and investment with the world, especially the states with large markets and
rich natural resources.
4. Decision making in the Japanese Government is often a result of compromises
among different ministries who perceive themselves as serving varied interests.
Methodology
Through a chronological analysis of how the Japan-Singapore Economic
Partnership for the New Age has been concluded, and how the talks with Korea and
Mexico are proceeding, Japanese goals for EPAs may be indirectly known. Statements by
key ministries involved in Japans foreign policy formulation contain Japanese general and
specific objectives. These ministries are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fishery (MAFF). The current state of Japans EPAs with several countries,