In review of the book “Interpreting TRIPS: Globalisation of Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicine” authored by Professor Hiroko Yamane, this article further addresses the negative consequences on developing countries' access to proper medicine under the current TRIPS Agreement....

There are many permanent regional dispute settlement mechanisms (DSM) in other regions. But in the Asia-Pacific region, there has not be a permanent DSM to resolve their regional disputes. We consider that the Asia-Pacific region is uniquely positioned to take global leadership in providing...

The dispute settlement mechanism (hereinafter DSM) has the functions of ensuring the stability of the global economy, making trade relations more secured and predictable and maintaining the multilateral system. It also plays certain roles in multilateral trade negotiations. Because of the...

Most treaties govern relations of contracting parties or their activities. Their interpretation is subject to the interpretation rules under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. There is another group of treaties directly or indirectly governing private matters or their related legal...

Under the influences of globalization and trade liberalization, the consumption of tobacco products is increasing around the globe bringing with it consequences for public health as well as other social, economic, and environmental problems. The first international public health treaty under the...

This paper presents the recent development of BITs and the part of FTAs related to investment. In respect of the slower increase in the number of BITs as well as more FTAs being concluded and that it is a common practice for the FTAs to have an investment chapter, it is possible to incorporate...