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University of California Press

About the Book

Japan and a Pacific Free Trade Area by Kiyoshi Kojima presents a visionary framework for fostering economic development and trade integration across the Pacific region. Against the backdrop of a shifting global trade landscape in the post-Kennedy Round era, this book explores the potential of a Pacific Free Trade Area (PAFTA) to drive trade liberalization, economic growth, and regional cooperation among advanced Pacific economies and developing Asian nations. Kojima articulates the vital role of Japan as a leader in this integration process, emphasizing its capacity to extend aid, foster trade expansion, and act as a bridge between industrialized nations and emerging economies in Asia.

The book is a collection of refined essays that trace the evolution of PAFTA from theoretical groundwork to practical policy considerations. By drawing insights from leading economists and incorporating data from key trade conferences, Kojima’s work offers a rich analysis of the dynamics of trade liberalization and economic integration. With contributions from noted scholars and policymakers, as well as discussions from the Pacific Trade and Development conferences, this book not only advocates for a new economic order centered on the Pacific but also provides actionable insights into addressing the North-South divide and facilitating mutually beneficial specialization among nations. As a pioneering English-language publication by Kojima, Japan and a Pacific Free Trade Area is a cornerstone text for understanding the economic and trade policy ambitions of the Pacific region in the mid-20th century.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1971.