An Evolutionary Perspective on

Production Networks in the Asia-US region

Satoshi InomataInstitute of Developing Economies

JETRO

USA

Thailand

Singapore

Philippines

Taiwan

Malaysia

Korea

Japan

Indoneisa

China

1985

USA

Thailand

Singapore

Philippines

Taiwan

Malaysia

Korea

Japan

Indoneisa

China

1995

USA

Thailand

Singapore

Philippines

Taiwan

Malaysia

Korea

Japan

Indoneisa

China

2000

USA

Thailand

Singapore

Philippines

Taiwan

Malaysia

Korea

Japan

Indoneisa

China

2005

Length of Linkage

11 kij

kij

k

k

k AA→ Fragmentation level of production process

Strength of Linkage = {(lij – δij ) + (gij – δij )}/2

M

SI

J

1985

M

SI

K

T

N

J

1990

1995

JM

ST

N

U

JM

SU PT

N K

C

2000

J M

T

N

U

C

S

K

I

P

2005

✱ A high degree of fragmentation and sophistication.

✱ The emergence of “tri-polar trade” structure in the international distribution of value-added.

✱ Deepening interdependency, while showing a gradual shift of weight towards China.