Examination Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject Economics - International Economic Relations, grade: 07, University of Southern Denmark, course: Economics of International Integration, language: English, abstract: The central research question of this paper is as follows: Why is Japan interested in a good relationship to ASEAN? When reading about the historical development and happenings about the ASEAN-Japan relationship, it might look as thoug Japan is more important to the ASEAN than the other way around. However, it is demonstrated here that regional cooperation and integration is mutually beneficient rather than simply a one-way street. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader an introduction into what exactly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is and how their relationship to Japan is important for both sides. The paper will show the reader an "overseas" example of a collaboration between countries that can be considered similar to the European Union (EU).