Individuals within specific geographical regions have developed characteristics that are shared by those in their particular regions. These characteristics influence behaviour and how humans conduct their relationships. Thus, geographical location and the natural features of an area may also affect the way states progress and develop their relationships with neighbouring states. Accordingly, Asif Hasan Qureshi proposes a more inclusive concept of International Law [IL] by contextualizing a range of different historical narratives, legal traditions, and regional perspectives in the application of IL, with a focus on relations between China, Korea, and Japan, which constitute Northeast Asia [NEA] for the purposes of the book. The book suggests active engagement and open discussions between states as a path that can lead to mutual understanding and assist in promoting awareness of the historical narratives of the three nations, thereby reaching a consensus on how IL can be shaped to the philosophy and regional practices of NEA while also promoting successful economic development.

In Part I of the book, Qureshi advocates contextualized IL in NEA as a means to achieve rectificatory justice for the conflicts that affect intra-regional relations. He offers original insight when defining the “sustainability of the quest for justice” in terms of a generational burden (pp. 4, 31), and also relates his concept of contextualization with Onuma Yasuaki's trans-civilizational perspective on IL (p. 187).Footnote ¹ In Chapter 3, Qureshi encourages the contextualization of IL within domestic legal systems to obtain greater alignment between domestic and IL norms. The integration of IL into local systems can enable citizens to partake in the decision-making process on how international conflicts should be resolved. For instance, whether or not to submit a dispute to the jurisdiction of an international court should be a decision undertaken by the citizens of NEA nations. This could also help to achieve a sense of justice even if the outcome of adjudication by an international court is contradictory to the national interest, because it was the citizens who agreed on the method of conflict resolution.

Part II covers issues such as the Dokdo/Takeshima Islands, comfort women, and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula from his contextualization approach, and discusses how contextualized IL in NEA can use IL norms and international institutions as mediators that help states to find equitable solutions to prevailing conflicts, which currently preclude NEA from becoming a more significant player in the international community.

Qureshi devotes Part III of the book to economic relations in NEA. His vast experience as an international economic law consultant, academic teacher, and scholarly researcher make this a worthwhile read for trade lawyers interested in the region.