Final answer:
Japan has established trade barriers and engaged in protectionism to protect and cultivate infant industries such as steel and automotive. This includes tariffs and nontariff barriers like regulations and inspections. The WTO strives to reduce these barriers but faces challenges from national policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Japan has utilized protectionism policies, including the establishment of trade barriers in the form of tariffs and nontariff barriers, which are methods to make importing products more costly or difficult.
These barriers may involve a variety of regulatory measures such as rules, regulations, inspections, and extensive paperwork.
Japan, like other countries in East Asia, has employed these protective measures to support the development of certain infant industries such as steel and automotive, providing them with direct and indirect subsidies, including protection from foreign competition and government loans with favorable interest rates.
The World Trade Organization (WTO), which succeeded the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), aims to reduce these barriers and settle disputes over international trade policy.
However, the practice of protectionism by countries like Japan demonstrates a challenge to international trade agreements aimed at reducing trade barriers globally.
Japan's economic strategies have been part of a broader regional trend that includes Korea and Thailand, where such protective measures have historically been used to nurture and grow domestic industries.