日本是亞太經濟合作構想的創始國，且自始至終在推動亞太地區的經濟合作與整合上扮演重要的角色。基於戰爭的歷史經驗，日本在推動APEC的方式較為低調，希望以溫和手段、協調的角色來發揮「微妙領導作用」。但是統合以美國為主的「亞太主義」及東協與中共所推動之「東亞主義」並非易事。近年來日本的「魯仲達」角色因受其國內複雜的政商關係所制約而無法有自主性，日本的APEC策略，更因無法配合APEC自由化的進度及其本國經濟成長式微的情勢下，無法發揮應有的效益。

　　　　　Before 1989, Japan took the lead to promote APEC because the Japanese believed that they could utilize APEC as a means to avoid the external pressures arising from its huge external trade surplus. At the same time, this action would help to maintain the stability of economic order in the Asia-Pacific region. This paper aims to explore Japan's role and strategies in APEC. Japan has been contributing to the establishment of a region that is consistent with its own basic interests. However, the current domestic and international factors have complicated Japan's ability to play a more active role.