The value, composition and significance of Japanese trade with Southeast Asia, 1914-41
During the early part of the period 1914-1941 Japan regarded Southeast Asia simply as a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of manufactures. It was only in the 1930s that Southeast Asia became economically vital to Japan, as tension between Japan and the Western powers increased. In particular Japan feared the suspension of exports from the West and from European colonies in Asia. After 1931 Japan had a considerable balance of payments deficit with regard to the West. Consequently Japan attempted to extend her political and economic influence in Southeast Asia in order to reduce her dependence on Western supplies and markets. However, this created tension between Japan and the West as the economies of Southeast Asia were closely integrated with the economies of the Western world. Though Japan succeeded in the 1930s in penetrating these Asian markets to a considerable extent, she was unable to reduce her trade deficit with the West or to create a self-sufficiency area in Asia. Japan further increased her economic expansion into Southeast Asia, but this merely aggravated her already strained relationship with the West. In addition, during this period the Japanese business community, the Zaibatsu, which
Lim, Hua Sing
History
The value, composition and significance of Japanese trade with Southeast Asia, 1914-41. During the early part of the period 1914-1941 Japan regarded Southeast Asia simply as a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of manufactures. It was only in the 1930s that Southeast Asia became economically vital to Japan, as tension between Japan and the Western powers increased. In particular Japan feared the suspension of exports from the West and from European colonies in Asia. After 1931 Japan had a considerable balance of payments deficit with regard to the West. Consequently Japan attempted to extend her political and economic influence in Southeast Asia in order to reduce her dependence on Western supplies and markets. However, this created tension between Japan and the West as the economies of Southeast Asia were closely integrated with the economies of the Western world. Though Japan succeeded in the 1930s in penetrating these Asian markets to a considerable extent, she was unable to reduce her trade deficit with the West or to create a self-sufficiency area in Asia. Japan further increased her economic expansion into Southeast Asia, but this merely aggravated her already strained relationship with the West. In addition, during this period the Japanese business community, the Zaibatsu, which
value composition significance japanese trade southeast_asia early_part period japan regard southeast_asia simply supplier raw_material consumer manufacture southeast_asia become economically vital japan tension japan western power increase particular japan fear suspension export west european colony asia japan considerable balance payment deficit regard west consequently japan attempt_extend political_economic influence southeast_asia order reduce dependence western supply market however create tension japan west economy southeast_asia closely integrated economy western_world though japan succeed penetrate asian market considerable extent unable reduce trade deficit west create self_sufficiency area asia japan increase economic_expansion southeast_asia merely already strain relationship west addition period japanese business community