Over the past two years, Japan has emerged as a global leader in forging ahead with multilateral trade agreements, and as such taking on a greater role in ensuring that free, fair, and open markets prevail. At the same time, there are growing expectations for Japan to take on a larger role that goes beyond trade to ensure economic stability worldwide, and act as a global stabilizer amid growing uncertainties.
The ongoing trade friction between China and the United States has undoubtedly impacted the economies of countries across Asia and beyond, and the spillover effect may well continue. At the same time, the challenges of accommodating technological advancement and automation will likely be far greater than crafting any single trade agreement. There are also growing expectations for Japan’s leadership in ensuring continued growth in emerging markets with the greatest need for capital investments. Southeast Asia in particular is at the frontline of increased opportunities for project financing, but at the same time it is being confronted with making a political as much as an economic choice in selecting partners for growth.
