Japanese Contributions to the Theory of International Trade

Abstract

This paper outlines a number of signi®cant Japanese contributions to the theory of international trade in the postwar period, and identi®es some of their characteristic topics and methods. It then seeks to explain these characteristics, with reference to Japan's intellectual and cultural heritage, its pressing national priorities, and the situation of the Japanese economist within Japanese society and the economics profession internationally. It is argued that despite these common characteristics we cannot speak meaningfully of a Japanese school of trade theory, although there is a characteristically Japanese approach to trade policy. Finally, some reasons for the neglect of Japanese contributions are explored. JEL Classi®cation Numbers: B20, F19.