Publication Code: I1
This report describes the results of joint research on economic relations between Thailand and Japan carried out by the International Development Center of Japan (IDCJ) and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). This joint research is mostly indebted to advices of the Economic Planning Agency, Government of Japan.
In recent years, ASEAN and Japan have become increasingly close and interdependent. Under the worldwide recession which has prevailed since 1980, ASEAN-Japan relationships are becoming more and more important to the world economy. The closer the relationship, however, the more obvious the economic problems arising between ASEAN and Japan, hence the current economic friction.
In order to understand the nature of these problems fully, and to explore possible solutions, the "think tank" can play a very important role. It is very significant that two leading think tanks, IDCJ from Japan and TDRI from Thailand, worked together on this joint research project in cooperation with the Economic Planning Agency of Japan. They are both specialized in policy-oriented research for development.
This report consists of Part I prepared by IDCJ and Part II prepared by TDRI. The IDCJ report (in Japanese language) summarizes the contents of a report prepared under the contract with the Economic Planning Agency in FY 1985, and especially emphasizes the Thailand-Japan relationship. It examines the relationship, from the various aspects of trade, direct investment and economic cooperation, identifies major problems therein and proposes policies to solve these problems. The TDRI report focuses on the export performance of Thailand, and analyzes trade-related problems and export industry promotion in Thailand
April 1996