Japanese contributions to the theory of international trade

This paper outlines a number of significant Japanese contributions to the t heory of international trade in the postwar period and identifies some of t heir characteristic topics and methods. It then seeks to explain these char acteristics, with reference to Japan's intellectual and cultural heritage, its pressing national priorities, and the situation of the Japanese economi st within Japanese society and the economics profession internationally. It is argued that despite these common characteristics we cannot speak meanin gfully of a Japanese school of trade theory, although there is a characteri stically Japanese approach to trade policy. Finally, some reasons for the n eglect of Japanese contributions are explored. JEL Classification Numbers: B20, F19.