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Australia and Japan began FTA negotiations in April 2007 after clearing a joint feasibility study (and signing a joint plan for military cooperation). As of October 2008, seven rounds of talks had been held.
The deal is supposed to be a comprehensive one, but there are serious debates over agriculture. Japan has been trying to exclude sensitive farm products — including beef, sugar, dairy, wheat and barley — from the scope of the deal to protect its farmers. Australia, however, wants the preferential market access for farm products beyond what was agreed at WTO. At the same, Japanese farmers and consumers, with full support from groups in Australia, have been mobilising to ensure that any Japan-Australia FTA provides safeguards against GM foods, particularly canola and beef. In effect, since 2007 Australia states have been reneging on their previous GM-free policies and Japanese consumers rely on few sources for GM-free foods like canola oil. last update: April 2009 Articles
Masahiko Yamada, Japan’s new agriculture minister, has blogged about how the Australian free trade agreement would destroy Japanese agriculture. Australian farm industry leaders are in Tokyo trying to change his mind.
Japan hardliner hits FTA hopes
| 9-June-2010
Japan’s new Prime Minister has installed an eccentric arch protectionist and former beef and pork farmer in the agriculture and fisheries portfolio, dealing a blow to Australia’s hopes of finalising a free trade agreement. 
Australia should not agree to a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan unless the Asian nation stops whaling in the Southern Ocean, the Australian Greens say. 
The certain win for the Democratic Party of Japan in Sunday’s election threatens to wreck Australia’s hopes for a comprehensive FTA with its second-largest trading partner. The DPJ has promised no bilateral trade agreements will disadvantage Japanese farmers, while the Rudd government insists only an FTA tackling farm trade barriers is acceptable to Australia.
Goodwill with Japan on FTA
| 19-March-2009
Japanese demand for Australian commodities may be waning, but the Rudd Government insists there is still the political will for Tokyo and Canberra to find common ground on free trade.
Free trade deal will push reform in region
| 13-October-2008
Advancing a bold free-trade agreement between Australia and Japan would be a "springboard" for influencing economic reform in the region.
Japan tries to exclude agriculture in free trade talks
| 25-July-2008
Japan has moved to exclude key agricultural products from the next round of free-trade negotiations with Australia, due to be held in Tokyo next week.
Japan dictates the pace of trade talks with Canberra
| 3-May-2008
Australia’s free trade talks with Japan are moving forward on Japanese lines. Four days of talks in Canberra have ended with promising offers on services and investment, and progress in all areas - except agriculture.
Japan’s free trade agreement tension
| 4-April-2008
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has warned the Japanese they cannot have a free trade agreement under the conditions being sought by their negotiators.
Japan stance threatens free trade
| 29-February-2008
The Japanese Government has refused to offer Australia any serious concessions on agricultural import tariffs, the major barrier to a free trade agreement between the two countries. |
Le stand de l’UE à la conférence sur le sida "saisi" par des militants défenseurs des génériques
| 21-July-2010
Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the U.S.- South Korea Trade Agreement
| 30-June-2010
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