Current trends, foreign economic development strategies, and competitiveness of transnational corporations of Japan, China and Southeast Asia: comparative analysis

The purpose of this research is a comparative analysis of modern strategies for foreign economic development and transnationalization of large businesses in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. The article analyzes modern investment strategies and the main trends in the activities of transnational corporations in these countries. The relevance of the article is due to the important role of TNCs in the international exchange of foreign direct investment, their significant contribution to improving the socio-economic level of their home countries, as well as strengthening and expanding trade and economic ties between the states of East Asia. When preparing the work, we used such quantitative research methods as statistical analysis, ranking, comparison. We use theoretical (descriptive analysis, content analysis) and empirical (working with official documentation) methods for collecting information. Official publications and materials of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well as the work of Russian scientists and researchers, made a significant contribution to the theoretical and factual base of the study. The article compares the total volume of assets held by corporations in the countries under consideration and the volume of foreign assets. The author analyzes the spheres of economy in which their TNCs are engaged and attempts to identify their international specialization. Singapore and Malaysia are defined as the Southeast Asian countries that are most successfully developing the process of transnationalization of large businesses; however, business transnationalization is uneven in the sub-region. Various motives for the transnationalization of large businesses in the compared countries are highlighted, as well as modern examples of their investment interaction, mergers, and acquisitions conducted by East Asian TNCs.