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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_Japan

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http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/main_pop/kpct/kp_tokugawa.htm

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That trade continued with few interruptions until 1638, when it was prohibited on the ground that the ships were smuggling priests into Japan.

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The cargo of the first Portuguese ships (usually about four small ships every year) that arrived in Japan consisted almost entirely of Chinese goods (silk, porcelain). The Japanese were interested in aquiring such goods but had been prohibited from any contacts with the Emperor of China, as a punishment for pirate raids. The Portuguese therefore found the opportunity to act as intermediaries in Asian trade.

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Japan in the 1500s is locked in a century of decentralized power and incessant warfare among competing feudal lords, a period known as the "Sengoku," or "Country at War" (1467-1573). Within this context of feudal civil war of the 1500s, Japanese pirates are active in the trade along the China coast — an alternative to the official relations between China and Japan. In 1543 the Portuguese traders reach Japan and are soon followed by the Jesuit missionary order (established in 1540) in the person of St. Francis Xavier who arrives in Japan in 1549.

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Europeans were admiring of Japan when they reached the country in the 16th century (1543 - Portugal). Japan was considered rich in precious metals. Japan was to become a major exporter of copper and silver during the period.

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Only the USA and China have a higher GNP than Japan.

Exports: cars, electronic devices and computers.

Most important trade partners are China and the USA, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Germany. Imports: The most important import goods are raw materials such as oil, foodstuffs and wood. Major supplier is China, followed by the USA, Australia, Saudia Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Industries: Manufacturing, construction, distribution, real estate, services, and communication are Japan's major industries today. Agriculture makes up only about two percent of the GNP. Most important agricultural product is rice. Resources of raw materials are very limited and the mining industry rather small.

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http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e644.html

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_relations_of_Japan

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http://useconomy.about.com/od/grossdomesticproduct/a/Japan_Recession.htm

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http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Russo-Japanese+Treaties+and+Agreements

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Japan has bilateral agreements with the following countries and blocs:

ASEAN (signed in Hanoi as of 1 April 2008)

Chile (signed in 2006)

Brunei (signed in 2007)

Indonesia

India (signed in 2011)

Malaysia (Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2005)

Mexico (took effect in 2005)

Peru

Philippines (signed in 2006)

Thailand (Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2007)

Singapore (signed in 2002)

Vietnam (signed in 2008)

Switzerland (signed in 2009)[15]

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After the Depression hit, global trade shrunk. Due to demand caused by its military aggression in China beginning in 1931, Japan continued to buy U.S. exports. From 1932 until 1940, for the first time, U.S. exports to Japan exceeded imports from Japan, and American businesses earned some much needed revenues. However, Japan was an ally of Germany, which entered into World War II in Europe in 1939. The U.S. government froze all Japanese assets in America and launched an oil embargo after July, 1941, to protest Japan's aggression in China and Indochina. Trade was terminated with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

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http://salempress.com/store/samples/american_business/american_business_japanese.htm

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Tariff autonomy for Japan

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Japan annexed Korea

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In 1899, Japan supported America's Open Door Policy to keep China accessible to international trade. In 1904, American banks sold $350 million of Japanese war bonds to help finance Japan's successful 1904-1905 war with Russia.

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From 1866 until 1932, American businesses imported more from Japan than they exported. The first top imports from Japan were raw silk, which American factories turned into consumer products, and tea for U.S. consumption. America exported primarily cotton yarn to Japan. As natural-resource-poor Japan embarked on industrialization, American manufacturers, like their Western European counterparts, began to export machinery, iron, and steel to Japan.

In 1866, American exports to Japan were worth $1 million, and imports from Japan $2 million. Trade with Japan accounted for only 0.4 percent of U.S. trade. By 1914, exports to Japan had reached $51 million, and imports from Japan $107 million, raising Japan's share of America's foreign trade to 3.6 percent.

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As stated in the agreement, the main purposes of the Canadian-United States Free Trade Agreement were:

eliminate barriers to trade in goods and services between Canada and the United States;

facilitate conditions of fair competition within the free-trade area established by the Agreement;

significantly liberalize conditions for investment within that free-trade area;

establish effective procedures for the joint administration of the Agreement and the resolution of disputes;

lay the foundation for further bilateral and multilateral cooperation to expand and enhance the benefits of the Agreement.

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The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), came into effect on January 1, 1994, creating the largest free trade region in the world, generating economic growth and helping to raise the standard of living for the people of all three member countries. The NAFTA superseded the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA).

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Here are the values of many of the NWC trade goods in Made Beaver:

1MB = 3/4 pounds of coloured beads

1MB = 2 pounds of sugar

1MB = 1 gallon of brandy

1MB = 12 dozen buttons

1MB = 1 pair of shoes

1MB = 8 knives

1MB = 2 pair looking glasses

11 MB = 1 musket

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At the end of sixteenth century, a change in European fashion created demand for the broad-brimmed beaver hat. The hat makers of Europe soon learned that the North American beaver under-fur could form good felt. Marten, fox, otter and mink were also exported but beaver became the main part of the fur trade.

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Early 1800's - Ottawa River timber trade

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Early 1800's - Ottawa River timber trade

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The Ottawa River Timber trade was the production of wood products by Canada destined for British and American markets. It was the major industry of the historical colonies of Upper and Lower Canada. The trade in squared timber and later sawed lumber led to population growth in the Ottawa Valley, especially the city of Bytown (now Ottawa, the capital of Canada). The industry lasted until around 1900 as both markets and supplies decreased.

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1497 Canada - Newfoundland is discovered

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1497 Canada - Newfoundland is discovered

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In 1497 John Cabot (Giovanni Cabotto) discovered Newfoundland. He was looking for spices but instead he found fish.