Japan-Netherlands East Indies trade relationship in the late 19th Century to the 1930s

Abstract

In 1868, after the Meiji goverment was established, the new goverment conducted a comprehensive restoration. Regarding trade, the Meiji government established free trade domestically, then it also pushed to secure cooperation with countries around the world. Southeast Asia where there were long-standing trade relationships was quickly approached to establish business premises by Japanese businesses and traders. Especially after Japan's victory in the Russo-Japan War (1904- 1905), Japan quickly boosted cooperation on trade and invested in Southeast Asia. Since the end of the 19th century, except for Thailand, most of the Southeast Asian countries were under the domination of Western countries. In particular, Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) was under Netherlands' control. In the policy of promoting trade relations with Southeast Asian countries, Japan actively entered Maritime Southeast Asia, especially Netherlands East Indies because of favorable natural conditions, the diverse natural resources for industry and defense. In this paper we shall analyze Japan and Netherlands East Indies trade relationship in the late 19th Century to the 1930s, then elucidate the Netherlands East Indies position in the promoting of Japan's trade during this period.