Explores the nature of regionalism by conducting a comprehensive analysis of over 30 regionalist proposals made by Japan and other Asian countries throughout the post-war period. The case studies go beyond an understanding of each regionalist project, providing a deeper understanding of the behavior patterns of Japan and other countries.

This book studies specific regional issues and problems, exploring recent related political developments in Japan, and how these might impact on future foreign policy priorities and objectives. The expert body of contributors consider issues such as: the nexus between domestic politics and foreign policy; environmental aid and management; human rights and democracy and conflict management.

The Routledge Handbook of Asian Regionalism is a definitive introduction to, and analysis of, the development of regionalism in Asia, including coverage of East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The contributors engage in a comprehensive exploration of what is arguably the most dynamic and important region in the world. Significantly, this volume addresses the multiple manifestations of regionalism in Asia and is consequently organised thematically under the headings of: conceptualizing the region economic issues political issues strategic issues regional organizations As such, the Handbook presents some of the key elements of the competing interpretations of this important and highly contested topic, giving the reader a chance to evaluate not just where Asian regionalism is going but also how the scholarship on Asian regionalism is analysing these trends and events. This book will be an indispensable resource for students and scholars of Asian politics, international relations and regionalism.

This book contributes to the theoretical and empirical literature on Asian regionalism, with a focus on the innovations needed to reform the current institutional architecture in Asia. After reviewing the key issues and challenges related to the political economy of Asia’s economic cooperation and integration, the book discusses various aspects of regionalism from political and economic perspectives. It looks at the rationale for regional collective action and reviews the trend of economic integration with a focus on the implications of the global financial crisis. In addition to reviewing the key issues related to the development of regional institutions for integration, the book analyzes issues such as trade and finance and deals with the implications of regionalism in terms of the introduction of domestic reforms in Asian countries before discussing the possible formation of a region-wide economic community. The eight chapters of the book are based on respective papers initially prepared for the Asian Development Bank Institute Conference 2010.

East Asia is a region that holds much fascination for many people. It is one of the world's most dynamic and diverse regions and is also becoming an increasingly coherent region through the inter-play of various integrative economic, political and socio-cultural processes. Such a development is generally referred to as 'regionalism', which itself has become a defining feature of the contemporary international system, and this book explores the various ways in which East Asian regionalism continues to deepen. Focusing on the main themes of the East Asia region and the study of regionalism, economic regionalism and East Asia's new economic geography, Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), trans-regionalism, East Asia's new free trade agreement trends and key transnational issues in East Asia such as international migration and energy security, East Asian Regionalism will be an essential text for courses on East Asian regionalism, Asian politics and Asian economics. Key pedagogical features include: end of chapter 'study questions' case studies that discuss topical issues with study questions also provided useful tables and figures which illustrate key regional trends in East Asia extensive summary conclusions covering the chapter's main findings from different international political economy perspectives.

To convey the image of a responsible power willing to contribute to regional stability and cooperation, China has shifted from a single-minded preference for bilateralism to an active participation in East Asian regionalism in the recent decades. This development has inspired discussions over whether a rising China could play a leadership role in building an institutionalized architecture for regional cooperation in East Asia. Nevertheless, this has not happened as East Asian regional cooperation and relevant activities remain mostly ad hoc and informal, especially when compared to regions such as Europe. To what extent has China contributed or constrained the development of regionalism in East Asia? What are China’s desired roles and objectives in East Asian regional cooperation? What is the level of trust that other regional players have for China in regional cooperation? This book seeks answers to these questions by exploring China’s motivations and strategic calculations as well as its policy practices in East Asian economic and security cooperation. This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Contemporary China.

Embedded in the evolving comparative regionalism literature, this book offers a systematic analysis of the factors positively and negatively influencing regional institution-building. The ruptures caused by the Eurozone crises, the coronavirus pandemic and by Brexit have renewed the interest in the impact of crises and critical junctures on regionalism here defined as regional institution-building. Drawing from critical juncture research and historical comparative analysis, this volume uses the cases of European and East Asian regional institution-building to systematically analyse institutional transformations during specific historical turning points and critical juncture moments. Wunderlich’s research offers an in-depth analysis of the interrelated drivers, spoilers and dissolvers of regional institution-building processes in Europe and East Asia, and addresses key questions including: Under what conditions does regionalism take hold? What is influencing the initial institutional design choices? What is the impact of historical experiences and well-entrenched norms and ideas? What are the roles of regional leaders? How do external factors influence regional institution-building? What turns a crisis into a critical juncture and are such junctures threats or opportunities? What accounts for variations in institutional responses to crisis events across different regional settings? This book will be a valuable resource for scholars of regionalism, region-building, regional governance and international relations of Europe and East Asia.

This is the only English language publication with a distinctly Northeast Asian (outside Japan) and Chinese perspective on pan-East Asian Regionalism (including both Northeast and Southeast Asian Regionalism) published within the last 5 years that is distributed internationally. It traces the development of Asian regionalism and analyzes China''s role and policy on East Asian cooperation and integration. The 15 chapters in this volume directly involve all major policy researches and project designing in the process of the East Asia cooperation. They provide valuable information for knowing, understanding and studying the ongoing process of regional cooperation in East Asia. Sample Chapter(s). Foreword (39 KB). Chapter 1: East Asian Cooperation: Path & Approach (71 KB). Contents: East Asian Cooperation: Path & Approach; Emerging East Asian Regionalism; Projecting East Asian Community-Building; East Asian Cooperation: Where is It Going?; Northeast Asian Community: Is It Possible to Turn Vision into Reality?; The Development of East Asian FTA; China''s FTA Strategy: An Overview; Designing East Asian FTA: Rational and Feasibility; How to Promote Monetary and Financial Cooperation in East Asia; The Asian Financial Crisis and Regional Cooperation; Environment and Energy Cooperation in East Asia; China''s Economic Emergence and Regional Cooperation; China''s Accession to WTO and Its Impact on ChinaOCoASEAN Relations; ChinaOCoASEAN FTA and Its Impact; Comparing China and Japan in Developing Partnership with ASEAN. Readership: Academics, researchers and students interested in the development of the East Asian Cooperation Movement.

Examines both actual and potential developments in North-East Asian regionalism, from various levels and fields of analysis, considering cooperative and integrative structures and processes. Particular reference is made to the contemporary experience of Europe, which provides important models of cooperation and integration in both the government an

Based on original fieldwork including interviews held with Japanese officials, this text provides important new insight into Japan and East Asian relations, principally through the close examination of changes in Japan’s regional policy. Furthering discussions on Japan’s new regional activism, Hayashi explores how Japan and East Asian relations have developed, how Japan’s regional policy has changed, and why. In addition, the book challenges conventional views on Japanese foreign policy, arguing that it is not reactive but incrementally effective. The book incorporates three major case studies that provide detailed narratives and analysis of Japan and Washington’s diverging ideological approaches, Japan’s policies towards the East Asian financial crisis, and its policies towards East Asian regionalism.