Taiwan and Japan might seem to be two similar island economies when viewed from this side of the Pacific, but they are strikingly dissimilar. Over the twentieth century, their relationship with one another has shifted from colonial to mutual growth and recognition to the current anomaly of an intense economic interchange accompanied by severed diplomatic ties. Between Taiwan and Japan, the private sector is taking the lead in developing a relationship that is both mutually beneficial and strained.

Discussions in Japan in May 1992 related to potential agreements at the September 1992 Russian-Japanese summit were keyed to the central question, Will the barriers to significant commercial cooperation involving Russia, Japan and the United States in Russian Siberia be removed? [1] From these discussions among key Japanese industrialists, bankers, government officials and academics who influence policy, came a tentative "yes", if four conditions are met. A positive outcome would thus seem more likely than at any previous time. Such an outcome would likely promote profitable trade and investment, creating jobs in U.S. enterprises and serve as a vehicle for mutually beneficial U.S.-Japanese cooperation.