Aya Iino

Institution: Nihon University, College of Commerce

Period of stay: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025

Contact: iino.aya@nihon-u.ac.jp

https://researcher-web.nihon-u.ac.jp/search/detail?systemId=dec3cbaf17e2...

Profile: 

Aya Iino is a Professor of international economic law at Nihon University, College of Commerce (Tokyo, Japan). Previously, she worked as an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor at Nihon University, College of Commerce.

Prior to joining the faculty at Nihon University, Aya served as an Advisor on trade dispute settlement at the Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva (2000-2003) and as an Advisor on investment issues in the Delegation of Japan to the OECD in Paris (2006-2008). She also worked as an Analyst in one of the major think tanks in Japan engaging in government projects related to international trade law and policy (1997-2000 and 2003-2006).

In addition to her teaching and research activities at universities, Aya has also participated in the government-related research committees and projects. Her most recent dedication includes serving as a Member of the National Examination Committee of the Registered Customs Specialist (2020-present), a Member of the Subcommittee on Unfair Trade Policies and Measures under the Industrial Structure Council of METI (2023-present) and as an Academic Expert of the Joint Study Group on the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement (2023).

Research Area:

International Trade Law

Research Title:

Reforming International Trade Rules in a Changing International Economic Order

Research Outline:

The purpose of this research is to identify the improvements needed to international trade rules in a changing international economic order. The main drivers of this change include: 1) geopolitical shifts; 2) digitalisation; and 3) the expansion of non-trade issues partly due to the enhancement of the SDGs.

First, in terms of geopolitical shifts, we have seen in particular the pursuit of the 'friend-shoring' concept and the associated restructuring of supply chains, as well as the tightening of export controls on critical goods.

Second, with regard to digitalisation, the growing importance of data is affecting sources of comparative advantage and driving changes in trade structures, with countries introducing new trade-restrictive measures such as data localisation. Advances in AI technologies, which rely heavily on data, are also having a significant impact on business activities and people's lives.

Third, as for the expansion of non-trade issues, there is a growing recognition of the protection of human and labour rights in relation to trade and the necessity to respond to the worsening of the global warming challenges among others. These need to be addressed by integrating them into the market mechanism, on which most existing trade rules are based. This can be rephrased as, for example, making the WTO more in line with the SDGs.

The international trade order and rules, comprising the WTO agreements, FTAs, and other trade-related agreements need to be shaped, better structured, and, where necessary, modernised accordingly. This research therefore reviews developments in efforts to reform trade rules, and identifies needed improvements, thereby contributing to the efforts that have been made in the trade community.

Publications:

Aya IINO, “What has Digital Trade Brought to Trade Agreements? – Focusing on Non-trade Concerns,” Financial Review, Vol. 155, 2024. https://www.mof.go.jp/english/pri/publication/financial_review/fr155.htm... (Abstract in English for now, accessed April 12, 2024)

Aya IINO, “International Development of Digital Trade Rules: WTO, Joint Initiative and Other Leading Trade Agreement,” Journal of Law, Politics, and Sociology, Vol. 96, No.12, 2023.
Aya IINO, “The Commonwealth beyond Historic Bonds : legal nature, informality, and potential,” The Study of Business and Industry, Vol. 39, 2023. https://www.bus.nihon-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/39_AyaIino.pdf (Abstract in English, accessed April 12, 2024)

Aya IINO,　“Disciplining Subsidies Through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Emerging Developments in Japan’s FTAs and Their Implications,” German Law Journal, Vol. 24, No.1, 2023. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/german-law-journal/article/disci... (accessed April 12, 2024)

Mitsuo MATSUSHITA and Aya IINO, “Panorama of the Modern International Trade System,” Journal of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law: kokusai shōji hōmu, Vol. 49, No.9, 2021.

Aya IINO, “Assessing Trade/Digital Trade Agreements between Japan and the US: Character, Legality and Future Challenges,” Journal of Business, Vol. 89, No.4, 2020. https://www.bus.nihon-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IINO_aya_2020-8... (Abstract in English, accessed April 12, 2024)

Aya IINO, WTO FTA CPTPP, Koubun-do, 2019.
 

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