Japan's economic activity in Asia-Pacific: evolving strategy for the changing circumstances

The article analyzes the place of Asia-Pacific (understood as East and South East Asia) in Japan’s economic strategy. We show that the region has occupied a crucial place in Japan’s strategy at the time of Abe’s second term as the country’s prime minister (which started in late 2012) as a result of the rapid economic growth in China and ASEAN, and, in particular, as a reaction for China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”. Japan’s “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure” is the country’s principal alternative for China’s infrastructure projects. Japan’s regional economic strategy is closely intertwined with the country’s broader strategic vision, including such projects as “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. Japan presents itself as an intermediary between the developed and the developing countries of Asia. Its role in the regional economic integration depends in large part on the dynamics of China and the US’ bilateral relations.