일본 ICT 산업의 대한국 및 대중국 질적 무역 경쟁력 변화에 관한 연구

A Study on the Change in Qualitative Trade Competitiveness of the Japanese ICT Industry to Korea and China

Purpose - This paper empirically analyzes the trade structure and competitiveness of Japan’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry compared to Korea and China. Design/Methodology/Approach - Using the Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage Index (RSCA) and Intra-Industry Trade (IIT) analysis based on trade volume and the number of items, this study examines changes in the qualitative competitiveness of Japan’s ICT industry in the Korean and Chinese markets from 2010 to 2023. Findings - Japan’s ICT industry has maintained a competitive advantage in the Chinese market, with improvements observed over time. In the Korean market, Japan’s competitiveness shifted from relatively poor to superior. The analysis indicates active intra-industry trade with both Korea and China, with slightly more robust trade observed with China. While the overall trade scale with Korea and China has declined, qualitative competitiveness remains strong in the Chinese market, and has improved in the Korean market. By trade volume, intra-industry trade is evident in both markets. However, based on the number of items, trade with China remains stable, while trade with Korea shows a rising trend. Research Implications - This study offers a novel perspective by analyzing trade competitiveness through RSCA and intra-industry trade in terms of both trade volume and the number of items. It provides unique insights into the qualitative changes in Japan’s ICT industry in the Korean and Chinese markets, contributing valuable implications for academia and policy development.