As the most populous and economically dynamic region on the planet, East Asia arguably benefits most from the security and economic dividends provided by international law and institutions, and yet is the wariest about embracing those rules and structures. In this regard, East Asian states are the least likely of any regional grouping to be party to most international obligations or to have representation reflecting their number and size in international organizations. There is no regional framework comparable to the AU, the OAS, or the EU. In this session, we will delineate the progress, challenges, and roles of international laws in East Asia.