China fears spur Japan trade deal push.

• Author: DeRosa, David
• Position: FRONTLINE

Japan is desperate to enter into trade deals with the rest of Asia. Imagine that, free market ideals are blooming in Asia and all because of Japan.

The cause of this frenetic competition on Japan's part has to be fear of China's success as an exporter. Japan, the original "export or die" nation, has a competitor, China, breathing down its neck.

China has already carved out a permanent role for itself as an exporting giant vis-a-vis the West. One look at China's huge and ever-growing surplus with the US shows a future Japan may not like to face.

Wisely, though belatedly, Japan is wondering where it stands in its own backyard--Asia. The message that Asian trade isn't to be taken for granted appears to have finally sunk in with Japan's policy markers.

Accordingly, Japan is seeking trade deals with other Asian nations. That's good, but...