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This article presents the analytical findings of economists Jeffrey Frankel of the University of California and Shang-Jin Wei of Harvard University on Japan's plans for the creation of a de facto trade bloc in East Asia. These economists suggest that Americans and Europeans need not fear of Japan's economic supremacy in creating Wast Asia the world's fastest growing region by means of cementing trade ties. Their analysis, summarized in a recent issue of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's periodical "Weekly Letter," shows scant evidence of a developing Pacific economic bloc dominated by Japan. These economists found that from 1979 to mid-1992, the major East Asian countries all consistently assigned a heavy weight to the dollar in valuing their currencies.

Education has been shown to alter values and attitudes in Western European and American countries. In tendency, the higher the level of education of respondents is, the more liberal are their values concerning civil rights, civil liberties, moral issues and political liberties. Vice versa, the lower the level of education of respondents is the more authoritarian their values are. Concerning Asian Confucian countries, however, the influence of education on values has only partly been investigated in, i.e. with an emphasis on values concerning political liberties. This paper focuses instead on values concerning questions of civil rights, civil liberties and moral issues. The leading question is, if education matters also in East Asian, Confucian contexts, such as Vietnam, China, Taiwan and Japan. It is not prima facie obvious, that education matters also in a non-Western cultural context. Western social theories, e.g. modernization theories, have not always worked in the same way in other cultural contexts, but were changed within specific cultural contexts. In addition, Asian Confucian countries are often reported to be “exceptional" and to differ from Western countries, e.g. concerning social networks, family patterns, and gender issues. However, there are also reasons to expect that education matters in the same way in Asian Confucian countries. For example, the thesis of Asian Confucian exceptionalism is questioned: political values are not always reported to be more authoritarian in Asian Confucian countries than in Western countries. In addition, Asian Confucian countries are reported to change values and life patterns, making them more similar to Western countries. Thus, it remains an open question, if and how education matters in an Asian Confucian context. This paper investigates into the question with data from the World Values Surveys. Results show that higher educated tend to be more liberal than less educated in Asian countries like in Western countries. Broadly speaking, the idea that education matters seems to be applicable also in Asian Confucian social contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A map of the East Asia is presented with information on the resources, industrial centers, and naval bases of the Far Eastern powers.

In proceedings at Washington between November, 1921, and February, 1922, of the Conference on Limitation of Armaments and Pacific and Far Eastern Problems there was established a "moral trusteeship" over the Soviet Union, including Siberia. Siberia was, it is true, left under occupation by alien invading troops, but that was considered a minor matter in view of the larger aspects of the moral trusteeship. A little direct evidence comes to hand. Far Eastern papers bring news of an incident that throws much light on affairs in Siberia while Siberia was being discussed at the Conference.

The article provides information on the papers discussed during the National Bureau of Economic Research's 17th Annual East Asian Seminar on Economics on June 22-24, 2006. The papers discussed include "Growth and Returns in Emerging Markets," by Peter B. Henry and Prakash Kannan, "International Currency and the U.S. Current Account Deficits," by Shin-ichi Fukuda and Yoshifumi Kon and "Price Impacts of Deals and Predictability of the Exchange Rate Movements," by Takatoshi Ito and Yuko Hashimoto, among others.

The article presents an update on syndicated loans in East Asia as of December 2, 2005. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. has launched a three-year term loan for Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings. A $100 million refinancing deal for Philippine's Globe Telecom will be signed in Singapore on December 6. Taiwan Cooperative Bank has launched a 10-year term loan for Tien Yuan Hot Springs Hotel.

Purpose: This research aims to analyze the factors affecting the people's performance working in the health sector to improve the services the health sector provide to society and increase the efficiency of their institutions. Design/methodology/approach: Conceptual model covering paternalistic leadership, employee creativity and psychological safety as an intermediary role has been suggested. A questionnaire was applied to 600 employees of three hospitals in Izmir voluntarily and 531 questionnaire data were obtained to test the proposed model. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-23 and Amos-18 were the statistical software used to analyze the data. Findings: The results suggest that paternalistic leadership positively affects employee creativity and psychological safety plays a mediating role in this relationship. While the effects of paternalistic leadership on employee resourcefulness are readily available, paternalistic leadership's mechanisms need elucidation. Originality/value: Previous studies have addressed issues, such as employees' job satisfaction and organizational commitment, covering Far East countries. Yet, the present research's findings enhance the cultural understanding of the conditions, where the paternalistic leader affects employee creativity. Moreover, leader affects must have managerial contributions to institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From time to time since the opening of the Conference it has been proclaimed in plenary sessions or in official communiqués that a great victory had been won for China. From time to time the papers have recorded that "this was an historic day for China." An impression has been created in the minds of all but Far Eastern specialists that something really has been done to remove the causes of international friction in the Far East. As a matter of fact what has been done in the concrete would not have warranted more than the summoning of second secretaries of legation to a meeting in Tientsin, Yokohama, or San Francisco.

This section offers news briefs on the syndicated loan deals in East Asia. The $80 million onshore amortising loan for Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings through Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. is said to be heavily oversubscribed. Health care service company Bico Corp. has signed its ¥1.562 billion five year loan through bookrunner Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. HSBC is working on a syndicated loan facility for Singaporean real estate investment trust Cambridge Industrial Trust.

The author reflects on the political condition in the Far East. He points out the seizure of Chiang Kai-shek by Chang Hsueh-liang. He argues that Union Soviet Socialist Republic wants peace and has repeatedly demonstrated in its policy in the Far East, that the country will go to almost any lengths to avoid an open with Japan.

The article discusses the highlights of the 18th Annual East Asian Seminar on Economics of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) held on June 22 to 24, 2007. The conference was organized by Takatoshi Ito of the University of Tokyo and NBER, and Andrew K. Rose of the University of California, Berkeley and NBER. The papers presented and discussed at the conference include "Consolidation of Banks in Japan: Causes and Consequences," by Kaoru Hosono, Koji Sakai and Kotaro Tsuru.

Presents an update on syndicated loans in East Asia as of October 7, 2005. Plan of Sanpaolo IMI and Commonwealth Bank of Australia to participate in a bridge loan of CNPC International in China; Schedule of the signing of loan for Bank Ekspor Indonesia; Launch of a dual tranche term loan for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas by its lead arrangers.

Focuses on the international intrigue of the arrest of six persons of both the State Department and the Navy of the U.S. who are accused of being spies. Dramatization of the news of arrest by the mass media; Criticism of the State Department in handling the case of arrest by the mass media; Displeasure expressed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations towards slumping of the responsibility of the whole case upon them by the State Department; Changes in the nature of the original charges against the six accused by the State Department; Similarity of opinion of the six accused towards the policy of the State Department regarding China and Japan; Discussion of the Far Eastern policy of the State Department.

This section offers news briefs concerning syndicated loans in East Asia. Bank of China and ICBC have submitted financing bids for the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) is looking to refinance a HK$5 billion five year loan signed in August 2006. Plastic and rubber products manufacturer Chi Mei Corp. has competed syndication of its NT$13 billion five year loan.

Information on papers discussed at a 2006 meeting of the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research's Working Group on China is presented. Douglas Almond, Lena Edlund, Hongbin Li and Junsen Zhang presented the paper Long-Term Effects of China's Great Famine in Hong Kong and Mainland China. A paper on firm ownership and investment efficiency in China by David Dollar and Shang-jin Wei was also presented. Yi Qian presented a paper focusing on the impact of counterfeiters and imitators on pricing and marketing.

The article offers news briefs on the syndicated loans market in East Asia. Bank of China has launched syndication of a $350 million four year loan for Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings). Cathay Pacific Airlines has signed its $600 million general corporate facility with a group of three lenders led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. Citigroup and DBS have closed syndication of the S$650 million three year loan for Singapore Telecommunications.

The article focuses on issues related to syndicated loans in East Asia. A syndication has been launched by the Bank of China for Nine Dragons Paper. A general corporate facility has been signed by Cathay Pacific Airlines with a group of lenders led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. A $360 million syndicated loan has been signed by Vitol via Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

The article presents news briefs on syndicated loans in East Asia as of May 2006. The HK$1 billion five year loan for Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing has closed after commitments were received from nine institutions in Hong Kong, China. South Korean private equity firms are competing for control of the restructured building company Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. has launched a NT$65.5 billion refinancing with Fuhwa Bank, Ta Chong Bank, Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank and Taishin International Bank as its mandated lead arrangers.

The article offers news briefs related to syndicated loans in East Asia as of December 2005. A dual currency term loan was signed by ICBC and ING Wholesale Banking for BP Yangzi Petrochemicals Acetyls Co. Potential lenders on the debut syndicated commercial loan of Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings Ltd. are preparing for a site visit. The one year bridge loan of NutriAsia Pacific will be launched into syndication through its mandated arrangers.

Focuses on syndicated loans in East Asia as of February 2005. Fundraising for Bank Negara Indonesia; Launch of the multi-tranche credit for Long Chen Paper by Taishin International Bank; Plan of BA Asia to arrange a fundraising for BankThai.

Abstract: In this paper we use a structural VAR model with block exogeneity to investigate if external shocks originating from the USA played a dominant role in influencing the macroeconomic fluctuations in East Asia during the period 1978–2007. The empirical results show a dynamic effect of external shocks, implying that, even though regional integration appears to be deepening and accelerating, especially after the recent global financial crisis, the influence of US shocks on real output fluctuations in the East Asian region is still very strong. The effects of Chinese shocks show an increasing trend over time, but the impacts are still small and not comparable with those of US shocks. The world oil price shock has become increasingly important in influencing the stability of real output growth in the region. The results from variance decomposition and impulse response analysis confirm the findings. Even though Japanese firms have established production networks in East Asia through trade and investment, and China has also grown rapidly and become a key regional country, the results suggest that US influence in the region is still asymmetric and strong. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude that shocks to the East Asian economies have become more regionally oriented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The issue of whether or not to form a monetary union in East Asia remains a hot issue in the study of the East Asian economies. Most of the existing studies apply a framework focusing on the symmetric issue of the fundamental shocks and the extent of correlations by applying the Blanchard and Quah [O.J. Blanchard, D. Quah, The dynamic effects of aggregate demand and supply disturbances, American Economic Review 79 (1989) 655–673] structural vector autoregression (VAR) technique, which includes first-differenced variables in the model and examines only the bilateral relationships. However, the shock symmetry does not necessarily require the co-movements of the real output variables between the countries concerned. The present paper employs the Johansen [S. Johansen, Statistical analysis of cointegration vectors, Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 12 (1988) 231–254] cointegration approach to check the long-run co-movements of real outputs among the East Asian countries, Japan and the United States to draw some implications about forming a monetary union in the region. The results suggest that some groups of Asian NIEs plus the United States will be potential candidates to form a monetary union. Mainland China is not suggested as a member country of a monetary union with any of the grouped economies. More interestingly, the ASEAN countries alone are not a feasible group to form a monetary union unless Japan is included, which has important implications for the role of Japan towards the formation of a regional monetary union. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tourism is one of the key service industries in Thailand, with a 5.27% share of Gross Domestic Product in 2003. Since 2000, international tourist arrivals, particularly those from East Asia, to Thailand have been on a continuous upward trend. Tourism forecasts can be made based on previous observations, so that historical analysis of tourist arrivals can provide a useful understanding of inbound trips and the behaviour of trends in foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand. As tourism is seasonal, a good forecast is required for stakeholders in the industry to manage risk. Previous research on tourism forecasts has typically been based on annual and monthly data analysis, while few past empirical tourism studies using the Box–Jenkins approach have taken account of pre-testing for seasonal unit roots based on Franses [P.H. Franses, Seasonality, nonstationarity and the forecasting of monthly time series, International Journal of Forecasting 7 (1991) 199–208] and Beaulieu and Miron [J.J. Beaulieu, J.A. Miron, Seasonal unit roots in aggregate U.S. data, Journal of Econometrics 55 (1993) 305–328] framework. An analysis of the time series of tourism demand, specifically monthly tourist arrivals from six major countries in East Asia to Thailand, from January 1971 to December 2005 is examined. This paper analyses stationary and non-stationary tourist arrivals series by formally testing for the presence of unit roots and seasonal unit roots prior to estimation, model selection and forecasting. Various Box–Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models and seasonal ARIMA models are estimated, with the tourist arrivals series showing seasonal patterns. The fitted ARIMA and seasonal ARIMA models forecast tourist arrivals from East Asia very well for the period 2006(1)–2008(1). Total monthly and annual forecasts can be obtained through temporal and spatial aggregation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent discussions of ecological crisis have emphasized the far-reaching consequences of environmental neglect. This paper will argue that aesthetic cosmologies in the Daoist and certain Buddhist traditions (Huayan, Zen Buddhist) as well as their respective artistic traditions can provide Christianity with helpful ecological resources. In addition, examples of contemporary environmental art in the West will be examined for their ecologically sensitive messages. The aesthetic traditions of East Asia display well the vision of nature in which every element of the universe is celebrated for its particular contribution. According to this model, humanity's role is not to dominate nature; rather, as members of the cosmic community, humanity needs to align themselves with the rest of the universe. Since our culture is deeply visual, East Asian aesthetic traditions together with contemporary ecological art, provide an important insight how to envision environmental ethics of care. I am for an art that is political-erotical-mystical, that does something other than sit on its ass in a museum. ...I am for an art that takes its form from the lines of life itself, that twists and extends and accumulates and spits and drips, and is heavy and coarse and blunt and sweet and stupid as life itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There are pros and cons for different countries to join a union and adopt a common currency. The European economic and monetary union is viewed to generate fewer costs and deliver greater benefits to its members. Several studies evaluate whether natural currency areas emerge based on historical pattern of international trade and of co-movements of prices and outputs, and found a well-defined dollar and euro areas but no clear yen area. This paper investigates the prospect of a dollar or yen currency union in the East Asia region. Different time series tests of income convergence are used to determine whether increased trade and financial integration has led to currency convergence. The countries included in this study are the high-performing East Asian economies, namely Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and the five founding ASEAN member countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reviews some research on issues facing capital account opening, international reserves and development. Reason for the large buildup of international reserve holdings in East Asia; Situations that give rise to the increased demand of precautionary holdings; Benefits of the introduction of reserve requirements; Mechanism facilitating capital flight; Form of capital flow.

Information about several papers discussed at FAO/World Bank Community of Practice Meeting held May 19-23, 2014 organized by the East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD)/ Environment (ENV)/Social Development (SDV) on green and inclusive growth in East Asia and the Pacific is presented. Topics include the economic, environmental and social challenges. The meeting featured several speakers including Indroyono Soesilo, Ida Christensen, and Suzanne Raswant.

The article reports on a paper in the July 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Sociology" regarding the connection of Northern Europe with East Asia. The paper argues that the global trade network was caused by employee malfeasance. The study was conducted by sociologists Emily Erikson of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and Peter Bearman of Columbia University in New York City.

The article offers information on various developments related to economy and politics in the Far East in February 1933. Japan is not alarmed over the stand by the League of Nations and rest of the world against her policy of aggression on the Asiatic mainland. It is expected that the demand for steel in Japan will reach 2.8 million tons in 1933. The balance of trade is favorable and exceeding by 7 million dollars.

Focuses on various recent political and economic developments in the U.S. in comparison to rest of the world. Opposition by Democrats of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal program on democracy; Reference of a letter to the editor by James W. Arnold, Republican National Committeeman in Georgia, published in the August 31 issue; Appeal from Arnold to Republicans to support Senator Henry George against Roosevelt; Accusations by Roosevelt of a conspiracy between conservative Democrats and the Republican organization; Report that political emissaries have been endeavoring to commit the Republican party to a plan by which the 1940 Republican convention will be held after the Democratic convention; Arguments pertaining to Democratic party's performance in the coming Presidential election in the U.S.; Discussion of political campaigns; Concern of the U.S. State Department towards Japan's new foreign policy after the capture over Hankow, a city in east coast China; Analysis of foreign policies of Far East nations.

Presents an update on the syndicated loans sector in East Asia as of April 29, 2005. Progress of the dual tranche loan for Asia Netcom Corp. into syndication; Banks which signed up for the dual tranche financing initiative of CLP Holdings; Increase in the four-year financing for WKK Technology.

If we assume that the role of the US as a global hegemon is nearing its end, rising China may wish to assume the mantle of leadership. But in order to take on such a role, it will first have to establish itself as a trusted and reliable leading power among the diverse countries of East Asia. Evelyn Goh outlines the rights and responsibilities that China would have to shoulder if it wants to share or to take over the great-power management role of the United States in East Asia. The challenges are enormous and complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the forecasts of increased competitiveness in international trade among East Asian countries. Highlights of the predictions in the 2001 White Paper on International Trade; Factors attributed to the dynamic development climate in East Asia; Pace of competitiveness heightened by the emerging dominance of China.

Provides information on a paper published by Professor Paul Krugman, which decribes the "myth" of the East Asian miracle in Foreign Affairs, while highlighting another paper entitled "Is the East Asian Mircle Over?" in a May 1997 edition of This Is Yomiuri. Possibility that the East Asian growth could exceed that of the advanced industrialized nations by a comfortable margin; Indepth look at the paper.

The author ponders how the 2009 economic crisis has led global buyers and retailers to review buying policies and stock levels. He says that the financial crisis highlight the benefits of local sourcing. He acknowledges that sourcing direct from China or the Far East may give one the lowest possible price but he proceeds to point out the advantages of purchasing from suppliers in Great Britain during the economic crisis.

Japan's diplomatic strategy toward East Asia underwent three main changes in the post-Cold War era. The first change occurred soon after the 1991 Persian Gulf War propelled Japan to consider a potential way to contribute to international security, resulting in the creation of dual-track diplomacy. The second was the consolidation of Japan's dual-track diplomacy by strengthening the US–Japan alliance and supporting the ASEAN's multilateral initiatives in the early 2000s. The third was the enhancement of Japan's own security efforts to maintain regional stability while making the most of the existing political and security mechanisms in East Asia—multilateralizing US alliance networks and enhancing the ASEAN-led multilateral frameworks. In the future, two factors would likely play a critical role in shaping Japan's diplomatic strategy: the degree of the future US commitment to the alliance with Japan and the level of China's assertiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of touring the Far East from the comfort of a fun-packed cruise ship.

The article reports various developments related to commerce in the Far East including the formation of the Shanghai Industrial and Business Loan Relief Committee in June 1935 in China to oversee relief work among distressed industries.

The article focuses on the business conditions in various Far East countries including China, where the business is slack, Japan, which has reported a growth in industrial output, and France, where manufacturers have made a credit agreement with the South Manchuria Railway management.

The article examines the business conditions of countries in Europe, Latin America and the Far East as of December 1931. The decline of sterling is one of the factors that led to the depression of the British public. The decision of Uruguay to bargain abroad for army airplanes in exchange for an equal volume of hide, wool and meat products is noted. There was a 20 percent decrease in cotton production in South China despite improvements in imports and manufacturing of the Shanghai region.

Comments on the Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armaments. Significance for Europe and the United States; U.S. interest in land and naval armaments; Issues in Europe and the Far East to be tackled in the conference; Test of American good faith; Anglo-American cooperation; Creation of a Supreme Council for the Far East.

This article presents the concluding chapters of an official history of Japanese intervention published by the Special Delegation of the Far Eastern Republic to the United States. Soon after the conference of the toiling people had elected the Government of Verkhne-Udinsk, in East Siberia, it was recognized by the Government of the Amur Province as the central government for the entire Far East. Afraid that the Maritime Government which had been recognized as the provisional government, might also extend its recognition to the Government of Verkhne-Udinsk as a central government, the Japanese began to exert on it an incessant pressure, not even stopping at threats. At the same time the Japanese also began to coquet with the Maritime Government, declaring it to be the only truly democratic government, and that Japan would recognize it if it would place itself at the head of al the provincial governments.

It is good that the public is taking a keen if belated interest in the activities of the international armament ring during and between wars. The story of young men being killed with guns made by their fellow-countrymen and sold to the enemy at a profit to munitions makers has not grown less sordid with the years. It becomes peculiarly relevant to American young men, any one of whom faces the fantastic but real possibility of being killed in the Far East by a bit of shrapnel that was originally part of his mother's kitchen stove. It is hoped the Senate committee's investigation of the munitions racket will be thorough. The chairman of the committee, in a recent speech cited figures for various companies showing the difference between their profits in peace and in war.

Presents several letters to the editor on issues related to the United States politics. Reaction to the comment on the manner instead of the matter in an article on New Deal; Inevitability of the Japanese control of the Far Eastern provinces; Decrease in deaths of diabetics because of insulin.

Reports on socio-political and economic developments from the world. Focus on the gold policy proposed by the U.S. President; Blame on scientific development for the desperate condition of the American farmer; Issues related to war in the Far East; Report that Austria's labor movement has come to the end of its course as a political factor in the life of the Austrian state; Views of U.S. journalist Walter Lippmann on the U.S. neutrality and its stand in the new European War; Announcement of the creation of corporate state by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

Understanding cross-cultural differences in attitudes to animal welfare issues is important in maintaining good international relations, including economic and trade relations. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of stakeholders towards improving the welfare of animals during slaughter and transport in four key SE and E Asian countries: China, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Logistic regression analysis of the associations between demographic factors and attitudes identifed nationality as the most significant factor influencing attitude. Motivating factors for improving welfare were ranked according to their importance: religion, knowledge levels, monetary gain, availability of tools and resources, community issues, approval of supervisor and peers. Strong beliefs in the influence of animal welfare laws, the power of the workplace and the importance of personal knowledge were shared by all countries. In addition, religion and peer consideration were significantly associated with attitudes in Malaysia and Thailand, respectively. The findings of this research will assist in the development of international animal welfare initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the impact of oil price increase on the countries of Southeast Asia and Far East and their debt conditions. It states that increase in the price of oil has lead to inflation. It mentions that several countries of the region have borrowed money to finance balance-of-payments deficits and maintain economic growth.

The article reports on the decline in U.S. foreign trade, as of June 1928. It presents an analysis of the U.S. foreign trade position as indicated in the nation's imports and exports and the need to use exceptional care in scrutinizing the divergent conditions in certain crucial markets to maintain a satisfactory level in overseas economic efforts for 1928. It also provides an update on the foreign trade situation in Europe, Great Britain, Latin America, and the Far East.

The article reports on the impact of the Japanese attacks in the Far East on American investors in different countries in the region during the World War II.

Reveals what France seeks to obtain from the Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armaments. Need to take her place as an equal among the great powers meeting in the U.S. capital; France's concerns for land disarmament and about developments in the Far East; Economic burden of maintaining a huge, idle army during peace time.