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Japan

Japan, Australia strike strategic security cooperation agreement
14-Mar-2007
Japan and Australia agreed Tuesday to expand strategic cooperation in security and defense issues, and to expedite negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Japan eyes energy in FTA with Australia
13-Mar-2007 Earth Times
Japanese Trade Minister Akira Amari wants an energy clause included in the free-trade agreement being worked out with Australia to ensure a stable supply of energy to Japan
Japan trade frays tempers
10-Mar-2007 The Nation
Opponents of the draft Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) have asserted that the Surayud Chulanont government needs to take two controversial issues in the pact seriously.
Rivalry delays selection of host for Asia FTA research body
10-Mar-2007 Kyodo
The selection of a country to host a body to conduct research on trade liberalization around the Asia-Pacific region has been put on hold due to the rivalry among countries wishing to be home to its headquarters.
Swiss government approves mandate for FTA talks with Japan
10-Mar-2007 People’s Daily
The Swiss government on Friday approved a mandate for negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership and free trade agreement (FTA) between Switzerland with Japan.
Indo-Japan economic pact to see the light of day within year
10-Mar-2007 Financial Express
India and Japan will ink the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in the next one year, minister of state for industry Ashwani Kumar said on Friday.
Japan, Australia free trade talks to begin in April
9-Mar-2007 Bloomberg
Japan and Australia will begin two days of talks on a possible free trade agreement April 23 in Canberra, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said.
Steel tops debate on Japan deal
5-Mar-2007
The pending Thai-Japanese free trade agreement will become a catalyst for Thailand’s steel industry to deal with heavier competition, according to local experts.
Thai-Japanese FTA negotiations: Toxic waste annex to be tabled in Tokyo
5-Mar-2007 Bangkok Post
A one-page annex will be added to the Thai-Japan free trade agreement to ensure the trade pact will not overrule the international agreement on transboundary movement of hazardous waste. The inclusion of the annex, however, was criticised by the FTA opponents.
Arroyo to push ratification of controversial pact with Japan
2-Mar-2007 INQ7
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday said she will push for the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) when the new Congress convenes in July.
No renegotiation on Thai-Japan trade deal
27-Feb-2007 The Nation
Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram told a powerful Japanese business association on Monday that Thailand would not renegotiate on any issues in the controversial economic agreement with Japan.
Thailand-Japan pact could damage auto-parts industry
26-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
A free trade agreement between Japan and Thailand could damage the attractiveness of the kingdom as an investment destination for high-technology auto-parts manufacturers from Japan with the introduction of a zero import-tariff rate, according to the Thai Auto-parts Manufacturers Association (Tapma).
Japan-Chile to sign free trade pact in March
24-Feb-2007 Gulf Daily News
Japan is expected to sign a free trade deal with Chile when the South American country’s foreign minister visits next month.
Entering into a dangerous battle
24-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
The military-installed Thai government is entering into a risky new battle with farmer’s groups and the anti-FTA movement by pressing ahead with the Thai-Japan free trade agreement. Thousands of farmers, environmental activists and medical patients now plan to stage a mass protest next month against the government’s pro-FTA policy.
Coup-installed govt seeks Japan’s approval via rushed trade pact
24-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
Despite an earlier announcement that all signing and negotiating of free trade agreements would be halted, the government of Gen Surayud Chulanont bit its tongue yet again, with the issuing of a cabinet resolution on Feb 20 stating its readiness to go ahead with the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA).
RI-Japan economic partnership agreement almost finished
23-Feb-2007 Antara
For Indonesia, the only issue left is about cooperation assistance for increasing its industrial capacity. Japan, meanwhile, is still awaiting the result of the discussion on the country’s draft capital investment law before it would sign the EPA.
US not ready for Japan free trade talks: USTR
22-Feb-2007 Washington Post
A top US trade official on Thursday quashed business community hopes for the United States to begin talks on a free trade agreement with Japan after it finishes negotiations on a proposed pact with South Korea.
Fast approval of text rapped
22-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
The National Human Rights Commission and FTA Watch yesterday rebuked the Thai government for endorsing the text of the Japan-Thailand free trade agreement without revising the 940-page deal thoroughly. FTA Watch said it would consult with others opposing the agreement to stage a major rally against the interim government if it rushed into signing the deal.
Govt orders more FTA talks
21-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
The Thai cabinet yesterday instructed officials negotiating the Thai-Japanese Free Trade Agreement not to sign any deal without further talks with Tokyo to clear the air on issues like toxic waste imports and the patenting of micro-organisms.
Toxic backlash to Thai-Japan FTA
21-Feb-2007 Asia Times
A highly anticipated Thailand-Japan free-trade agreement (FTA) has hit an unexpected environmental snag, as Thai activists protest a provision in the draft agreement that would allow Japan to export to and dump in Thailand unlimited amounts of the hazardous and toxic waste it generates.