To the developed countries, on the other hand, by the mid-1970s,ASEAN seemed to be a going concern. It was strategically -located and was beginning to exercise a measure of collective influence in the World. The developed countries saw the importance of political linkages with the association, as well as with its individual members. They found ASEAN's growing economies as promising markets and investment sites. Japan, in particular, saw the ASEAN countries as partners in the re-structuring and relocation of its industries. They thus welcomed, indeed sought, dialogue partnerships with ASEAN.