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Sukegawa Seiya

Professor, Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Kokushikan University

Seiya Sukegawa is a professor at the Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Kokushikan University. He graduated from Kyushu University, earning his PhD in Economics. He specialises in international economics, free trade agreements/economic partnership agreements, and the ASEAN Economic Community. After working at JETRO, he became an associate professor in 2017 and has been in his current position since 2020. His publications include Strategies for the Utilization of Asian FTAs by Japanese Companies: Guidelines for the Utilization of FTAs in the TPP Era (co-authored).

Articles by Sukegawa Seiya

Politics

How Japan’s FOIP is reinforcing ASEAN’s strategic autonomy

The concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) was first proposed in 2016 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and now it has been updated under the Sanae Takaichi administration. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya notes that the FOIP is a channel for promoting regional cooperation with ASEAN, while respecting its autonomy.

Sukegawa Seiya

12 Jun 2026

Economy

ASEAN’s energy crisis — and Japan’s opening in the Middle East oil shock

The Middle East oil shock exposes ASEAN’s fragmented energy security, while creating an opening for Japan to deepen cooperation through stockpiles, swaps and regional resilience mechanisms. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya outlines a potential way forward.

Sukegawa Seiya

17 Apr 2026

Politics

The new unequal treaties: How US tariff tactics mirror old imperialism

Just as some Asian countries had little choice but to sign unequal treaties with Western powers in the past, today’s tariff negotiations with the US look to be resulting in modern-day unequal treaties. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya makes the comparisons.

Sukegawa Seiya

07 Aug 2025

Economy

Japanese academic: China’s free trade facade

Even as China voices its support of free trade and is part of relevant international agreements, its actions tell another story. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya tells us more.

Sukegawa Seiya

21 Jul 2025

Economy

ASEAN countries could succumb to ‘developed country diseases’ before becoming developed

Before they become developed countries and as their population bonus period runs out, ASEAN countries should work towards increasing total factor productivity, says Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya.

Sukegawa Seiya

03 Jun 2024

Economy

'Made in Thailand' Chinese EVs could fill the auto market

Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya notes that with the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and the Thai government's aggressive promotion policies, the Thai auto market and even the global auto market could soon be filled with China EV brands that are made in Thailand.

Sukegawa Seiya

11 Mar 2024

Politics

IPEF: How committed are the US and ASEAN countries?

Recent moves by the US, not least President Biden's recent launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), are meant to woo Asian countries. Several ASEAN countries are receptive to the IPEF and the US naturally considers those who join as "friends". But will this count for much? Japanese academic Seiya Sukegawa examines the many unanswered questions with regard to the new framework.

Sukegawa Seiya

21 Jun 2022

Economy

Covid-19 pandemic: Supply chain disruptions in Southeast Asia affecting Japan and the world

In 2020, Japan was ASEAN's largest export partner of auto parts, making up 17.8% of ASEAN's exports, followed by the US (15.4%) and China (10.2%). However, with the onslaught of the Delta variant of Covid-19 this year, many Southeast Asian countries have imposed factory operation restrictions that have disrupted the supply chain, with Japanese firm Toyota Motor suffering the greatest impact. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya examines the issue.

Sukegawa Seiya

27 Sep 2021