This collection examines key issues in trade and investment patterns in the Asia-Pacific region. With a particular focus on Japan and its evolving role in the Asia-Pacific region, leading contributors look at other central issues including; European investment strategy, the nature of regionalism in world trade, Japan-NIE interdependence, the NIEs' regional pattern of investment and trade, US direct investment in Japan, US-Japan competitiveness, and the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in international trade.