East-West Trade and Japanese-Yugoslav Relations during the Cold War
East-West Trade and Japanese-Yugoslav Relations during the Cold War

Summary/Abstract: Japan’s efforts to improve trade with communist countries of Eastern Europe during the Cold War may seem odd, since generally neither superpower encouraged trade between the East and the West. However, during this period of East-West confrontations in all spheres, trade included, Japan developed trade relations with the Eastern European communist countries, while pursuing her national interests. This research note discusses Japanese-Yugoslav trade relations during the Cold War, and compares them with Japan’s trade relations with the other communist countries of Eastern Europe, setting them in the broader context of East-West relations. This research begins by briefly describing the system of trade within East-West relations. It then looks into Yugoslavia’s and Japan’s respective positions within that environment. Following that, the article examines Japanese-Yugoslav trade relations with particular regard to the three main events in their bilateral relations—conclusion of the Trade and Maritime Agreement in 1959, Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito’s visit to Japan in 1968, and establishment of a mixed-trade committee in 1972. It also discusses private-sector trade relations and a triangular type of trade.

• Details
• Contents