๋Japanese FDI to Thailand: Mobility and harmony

Abstract

Japan has been the top investor in Th ailand since the end of WWII. In 1972, following violent protests against Japanese investment, the Japanese government established the Japan Foundation as the main agency to take care of cultural diplomacy. Th ough under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, the Japanese business community fi nancially contributed to its establishment from the beginning. In addition, Japanese business in Th ailand continuously cooperated with the government in its cultural diplomatic activities. Th eir daily operation created an atmosphere for human exchange which led to understanding between peoples of diff erent cultures. Japanese investment promoted the mobility of labor, both blue and white collar alike. At the international level, Japanese managers were sent to local business facilities and local staff were sent to Japan as a part of human resource development. Th e economic sphere was the main driver of globalization. In the case of Th ailand and Japan, mobility of people took place mainly because of economic interaction. When the economic relationship was disturbed it was the cultural sphere of people-to-people relations that restored the overall relationship between Th ailand and Japan.