The Role of Multinational Firms in International Trade: The Case of Japan

This paper examines the role of multinational firms in international trade using firm-level panel data for Japanese firms between 1994 and 2000. Our results indicate that multinational firms dominate Japanese trade. In 2000, only 12.4 percent of Japanese firms were multinationals but they accounted for 93.6 and 81.2 percent of Japanese exports and imports, respectively. We found that multinational firms emerged from being exporters/importers. These results imply that firms do not make the choice of either exporting or undertaking FDI, contrary to the findings of previous studies. Rather, exporters make a decision on whether or not to undertake FDI.Multinational Firms, Foreign Direct Investment, International Trade, Intra-firm Trade

Small and medium-size enterprise support policies in Japan

The authors examine how Japan's public and private sectors support small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). They focus on technical, financial, and marketing assistance. Their findings are based on a survey of 107 firms; 40 that produce silverware, 33 engaged in synthetic textile weaving, and 34 that manufacture auto parts. Each sector represents a distinctive form of industrial organization, but they also share several characteristics: each industry is concentrated in a particular region, each involves close subcontracting relationships, and each has overcome difficulties and achieved a certain measure of industrial success. Technical support for these SMEs came largely through private channels, including parent firms, equipment suppliers, and other firms in the same line of business. Public institutions played only a subordinate role. Marketing support also came largely from parent firms, trading companies, and other private sources. Producers of intermediate goods in particular - such as auto parts and synthetic textiles - relied heavily on subcontractors. Most loans for Japan's SMEs were provided under competitive market conditions but three sources of directed credit - loans from specialized parastatals, loans channeled through local governments, and loan guarantees - accounted for about 20 percent of all SME borrowing and 35 to 60 percent of investment borrowing. Default rates averaged less than one-half of one percent of outstanding loans, and real interest rates were positive. The majority of firms surveryed used and valued directed credits. The smallest firms in particular valued them. Public institutions complemented the private marketplace in all three areas. Public technical and marketing support helped create and maintain private networks. In finance, Japan successfully embedded directed credit in a well-functioning, predominantly private, competitive, and prudential financial system. Through partnerships, public support continues to play both a direct and an indirect role in supporting the development of SMEs in Japan.Small Scale Enterprise,Water and Industry,Microfinance,Small and Medium Size Enterprises,Labor Policies,Environmental Economics&Policies,Water and Industry,Microfinance,Private Participation in Infrastructure,Small Scale Enterprise

Changing Commercial Policy in Japan During 1985-2010

In this paper we examine the changing nature of Japan's commercial policy over the last 25 years while reviewing Japan's changing structure of trade, FDI and economy that underlay policy changes. We argue that until the late 1990s Japan adopted a two-track approach of relying on multilateral liberalization under the GATT/WTO and open regionalism under Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on the one hand and on the bilateral trade relationship with the US on the other. Although the Japan-US bilateralism sometimes resulted in "managed trade" and encountered negative perceptions of the US approach in Japan, overall, it had a positive impact on the Japanese economy in opening domestic markets through various reforms and deregulation measures. Japan's more recent commercial policy focuses on bilateral and plurilateral economic partnership agreements particularly with-but not limited to-East Asian economies. We argue that agricultural sector liberalization is key to the further integration of Japan with the Asian and global economies.japan commercial policy; economy; trade; gatt; wto; fta

Competition Policy and Economic Development in East Asia

This Article examines competition, competition policy, and economic development in developing countries in East Asia. The term “competition policy” is defined broadly to include not only competition law but also other measures such as regulation, trade, and foreign direct investment (FDI) policies that influence competition. Part II of this Article examines how competition influences economic development from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. Part III examines several policies that impact competition, namely, competition law, regulation, trade, and FDI policies. The discussion of each policy begins with theoretical examinations and then turns to empirical findings. Part IV presents some concluding remarks