安倍政権下での日本対外通商政策決定過程の転換ー何が日本のTTP交渉参加・主導をもたらしたのかー

Abstract

In recent years, the process of Japan’s foreign trade policymaking process appears to be undergoing a new transformation in the movement representing TPP negotiations. Originally, the Japanese government hesitated to participate in the FTA/EPA negotiations, but when the LDP came back to power in 2013, there was a faster movement than ever before from the participation decision to the domestic ratification. Prime Minister Noda of the DPJ announced its participation in the TPP negotiations, but failed to participate in the negotiations, but the decision was made under the LDP government, which is known as not free from opposition from the agricultural interests. Moreover, when U.S. President Donald Trump was elected in the middle of the TPP negotiation process, “US exit” was realized. Since then, Japan has been leading negotiations among the participating countries, taking over the leadership role that the U.S. has left behind. Unlike the past when Japan was reluctant to sign free trade agreements, this study beings with a research question of how Japan has led highly liberal trade negotiations such as the TPP. It is noteworthy that such an outcome was decided under the Abe-LDP government, which did not welcome free trade negotiations before, rather than under the DPJ that emphasized Asia-oriented diplomacy or its political initiative. With the announcement of his participation in the TPP, it has changed PM Abe’s attitude suddenly during the second Abe administration that returned to power, and has been actively engaged in negotiations. Based upon these facts, the research question of this paper is: “What made Japan lead the TPP negotiations?” In response to the research question, this paper argues that Gaiatsu from the U.S. was the decisive factor in Japan’s participation in the TPP negotiations, and that Kantei-led policymaking as well as changes in the ideas of agricultural actors led by agricultural reforms were the critical factors of Japan’s leading role in TPP negotiations. This paper mainly argues that the influence of Gaiatsu seen during the Abe administration and the following domestic political changes have brought about a clear change in Japan’s foreign trade policymaking pattern.