Japan’s foreign economic policies have changed dramatically in the 2010s: rebalancing of core

policies (trade, investment, economic assistance); geographical redirection of trade and

investment flows; greater activism in seeking out a voice in global economic governance; and
departure from an exclusive focus on multilateralism to advance trade liberalization and financial
crisis management through regional and bilateral forums. This chapter assesses the drivers of
Japan’s foreign economic policy activism as well as the obstacles that have produced a
checkered record in terms of implementation. By combining explanations at the systemic,
societal, and state level, this analysis elucidates conditions that facilitate policy departures in
Japan’s economic diplomacy: international crises that threaten core Japanese interests, and
disenchantment with the performance of existing international institutions; a strong domestic
advocate that welcomes the policy departure; and streamlined decision-making involving a
single ministry that can handle the issue in a technocratic manner.
The economy of Japan is a highly developed free-market economy. It is the third-largest in the
world by nominal GDP and the fourth-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP).

Japan and these nations have common interests in maintaining and developing the free trade
and market economy system. It is Japan's basic foreign policy to maintain strong solidarity and
close cooperation with these Western democracies on a broad range of international political
and economic fields. Japan's foreign policy goals during most of the early postwar period were
essentially to regain economic viability and establish its credibility as a peaceful member of the
world community.
The culture of Japan has changed greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric
Jōmon Period, to its contemporary modern culture, which absorbs influences from Asia and
other regions of the world.
What is japan known for today? Japan is known worldwide for its traditional arts, including tea
ceremonies, calligraphy and flower arranging. The country has a legacy of distinctive gardens,
sculpture and poetry. Japan is home to more than a dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites and
is the birthplace of sushi, one of its most famous culinary exports.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/1978/1978-2.htm