The Analysis Of Interest Groups’ Impact In Japan’s TPP Policy

TPP is Trans Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership. In 2008, the United States announced to engage in TPP negotiations for realizing the strategic targets of "return to Asia". Also, the United States keep to encourage Japan to join in, while the Japanese government hope to improve the flagging domestic economy by this way as well. However, when 2010 Mr. Naoto Kan put forward the idea of favoring joining the TPP talks, which caused the uproar in Japan. With the voices of disapproval, Japanese government had been frustratingly slippery on the topic. Interest groups play a significant role in both national political activities and international, make great effective on the formulating and implementing of government trade policy. Through observation and investigation, the main reason of slowing development of TPP in Japan is the diverse voices from different interest groups, like commerce and industry interest groups support TPP, while the answer is no by agricultural interest groups.This article sorts and summarizes the types, effect, influence channel of current active Japanese interest groups which impact trade policies, and bases on the protection for sales of Grossman & Helpman as theoretical foundation. Meanwhile, it also analyzes the effective progress to trade policy by behavior mechanism. Last but not least, this article also uses game matrix to discuss the political choices of interest groups on terms and conditions when joining the TPP.For instance of Kendanren and JA by the method of behavior mechanism analysis, Kendanren and JA could basically achieve the equilibrium on lobbying. Therefore, the discussion should be focused on organizing propaganda behavior and building partner behavior. To be more precise, for the organizing propaganda capacity, JA is better on using social media tools and relationships with nationals. Although Kendanren also utilize the propaganda, but ignore the communication with nationals. On the other sides, for building partner capacity, JA is much easier to reach an agreement on TPP topic regarding to its strong cohesion and seldomly divergence. Because the benefits of other interest groups are also involved, JA has more advantages on partner capacity compared with Kendanren in outside competition environment. Also, government will tend to the interest of agriculture, which highlights on externally fighting for protection of agricultural produce, and internally increasing agricultural subsidies.The effect of Japan interest groups against TPP policy offers China a useful reference. All trade improvement and reforms should base on the deeply understanding for theory developing. What’s more, it is also significant to focus on political movement of other interest groups, and strengthen exchanges between different interest groups. Finally, another critical issue is to maintain harmony and peaceful relationships with parliament, administrative machinery and common nationals in order to be the winner in the competition.