A Study On Japan's Regionalism Policy In East Asia

East Asia enjoys highest rate of economic development in the world, and its pace of regionalism has been accelerating in recent years. As the economic power of Bast Asia, Japan's policy of East Asia regionalism plays an important role in the development of East Asia. Therefore, scholars pay close attention to Japan's regional strategy, and a lot of scholars have been studying the issue from different perspectives and get an abundance of profound and perceptive research achievements. The thesis will try to study the transition of Japan's regionalism policy in East Asia based on the other scholars' work and their achievements.Japan had its own pursuit on the issue of East Asia regionalism, "Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" plan in 1930s, "Pacific Free Trade Area" plan, "Flying Wild Geese Pattern" of economic development, "Asian Monetary Fund" and "East Asia Community" concept constitute the transition of Japan's regionalism policy. The thesis analyzes the background and dynamic of the policy. The influence of globalization and the pressure from other regionalism in the world are the main grounds, and the close interdependence and co-interest of Japan and other East Asia countries are internal motives.At present, Japan still faces several obstacles on carrying out its policy, the economic depression and weak political power within Japan are the internal factors; the restriction of Sino-Japan relation and USA-Japan relation, and Japan's attitude toward World War Two and its military expansion comprise the external factors, which result in the lack of trust on mutual cooperation between Japan and other East Asia countries.Looking into the future, Japan's regionalism policy will have many prospects: leading the regionalism of East Asia will be the prior choice for Japan's regional diplomacy; building Free Trade Area with ASEAN and leading East Asia regionalism together; pushing on the bilateral cooperation, opening the way to multilateral cooperation; building the North East Asia cooperation community including Japan, China and South Korea. No matter which way Japan chooses, the objective results will promote the development of East Asia regionalism.