New Asian Regionalism in International Economic Law

This book provides the first systematic analysis of new Asian regionalism as a paradigm shift in international economic law. It argues that new Asian regionalism has emerged amid the Third Regionalism and contributed to the New Regional Economic Order, which reinvigorates the role of developing countries in shaping international trade norms. To substantiate the claims, the book introduces theoretical debates and evaluates major regional economic initiatives and institutions, including the ASEAN+6 framework, APEC, the CPTPP and the RCEP. It also sheds light on legal issues involving the US-China trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as trade policies of Asian powers, the European Union and the United States. Hence, the legal analysis and case studies offer a fresh perspective of Asian integration and bridge the gap between academia and practice.

Why Asian states cooperate in regional arrangements: Asian regionalism in comparative perspective

Regional cooperation in Asia takes place in formal Regional Organizations (ROs) as well as in less formal Regional Fora (RF). In addition, unlike in other parts of the world, Asian regionalism mainly developed in one instead of two waves. Especially after the end of the Cold War, Asian countries created numerous ROs and RF. Over time, Asian states became members of several ROs and RF at the same time, thereby contributing to Asian regime complexity. Given that multiple memberships in regional cooperation agreements can place high demands on diplomatic and financial resources of member states, the fact that Asian states became members in between one and 17 ROs and RF is puzzling. This article investigates why Asian countries join regional cooperation agreements. Based on a theory-guided empirical analysis that combines quantitative and qualitative methods, it argues that hedging and economic interests are the main driving forces behind Asian regionalism and that these motivations are often interlinked.

Central Asian Regionalism or Central Asian Order? Some Reflections

This article reflects on how the concept of regionalism has been used to explain and interpret Central Asian politics since independence. It argues that regionalism, often a norm-laden analytical category based on Eurocentric assumptions, tends to paint the region as “failed” and regional states as incapable of institutionalizing multilateral relations. In its place, the article suggests the concept of order, which is more neutral and—through its focus on the operation of sovereignty, diplomacy, international law, authoritarianism, and great power management—is able to incorporate elements of both the conflict and cooperation that have marked the region’s politics since 1991.

The Evolution of Japan-ASEAN Relations: Core Moves for Japan’s Initiatives in Asian Regionalism beyond Southeast Asia

This chapter aims to provide a fresh interpretation of Japan’s patterned approach to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past forty years, examining it in the context of Japan’s interest in leading wider concepts of regional institutions in Asia and the Pacific. It analyzes Japan’s policy direction and diplomatic efforts to maintain good relations with ASEAN as a key precondition for its commitment to establishing six different regional initiatives or institutions beyond Southeast Asia, representing a view that Japan has promoted its ASEAN policy in parallel with its commitment to wider regional institutions. Based on the analytical presumptions promoted by neoclassical realism, this chapter pursues Japanese policy responses to the international/regional structural changes through examining, especially, Japanese prime ministers’ perceptions, ideas, and roles to identify Japan’s distinctive moves on ASEAN and wider regional institutions: the end of the Vietnam War for ASEAN, the Plaza Accord and regional economic interdependence for APEC, the AFC for APT, China’s charm offensive diplomacy for EAS, China’s hegemonic rise for TPP, and Japan-China competition over economic rules for FOIP. Japan has acknowledged the solidarity and integration of ASEAN as a prerequisite for the effective development of these wider regional institutions, making it a significant task for Japan to ease ASEAN’s concern about its possible marginalization within Asia a politics and economics.