Japan Between Asia and the West: Economic Power and Strategic Balance

This book studies Japan’s balance between the United States and East Asia by focusing on its use of economic power - defense spending, consumption, and investment - to advance its political and strategic as well as economic interests. It also investigates Japan’s direct use of economic resources, namely, aid and sanctions, and by extension, discusses Japan’s relations with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, which allows a contrast with bilateral and regional relations.