JAPAN FOREIGN-POLICY IN EAST-ASIA

Takashi Inoguchi argues that Japan's "efforts to accelerate economic development in East Asia and beyond are not only in Japan's business and national interests, but also part of an attempt to achieve two major objectives: to enhance the welfare of the people in the region and to roll back attempts at regionalization and protectionism. Japan's efforts should not be seen as the formation of a Japan-led regional economic bloc or the pursuit of a hegemonic position in East Asia. "