Japan aspires to be Asia's leader in economic and political affairs. But it faces significant roadblocks - economic, political and historical - on its way to that goal.

The economic and political roadblocks, which are intertwined, arise from Japan's political system and the power it grants to certain interests - such as farmers. The historical roadblocks are rooted in Japan's invasion of countries in Asia before and during World War II.

The Abe administration has adopted an accelerated free trade agreement strategy in a bid to revitalize Japan's moribund export-reliant economy and strengthen its position in the face of China's growing political and economic influence in Asia and rest of the world.