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Excerpts from keynote speeches on Japan’s "economic partnerships": June 2004
9-Jun-2004
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi proposed concluding economic partnerships with East Asian countries as part of the nation’s future policy during his tour of Southeast Asian countries in January 2002.
Mexico free trade founders on Japan’s farmers
28-May-2004
The failure of bilateral trade talks between Mexico and Japan on October 16 has shocked both sides, particularly Japan. The talks foundered on the question of what to do about Japan’s farmers, among the most highly subsidized in the world and the power base of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Korea’s FTA conundrum
28-May-2004 Korea’s FTA Conundrum
After a protracted courtship, Korea and Japan finally agreed last month to start negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
What benefit will FTAs bring to the Japanese economy?
27-May-2004 What benefit will FTAs bring to the Japanese economy?
Let me first give you four reasons why economic partnership agreements (EPAs), which cover broader areas than free trade agreements (FTAs), are important. The first reason is that FTAs are now a world "rule of the game," and Japan is at a disadvantage in not taking part in the game.
Japan’s FTA strategy
27-May-2004 Japan’s FTA strategy
Amid the advance of economic globalization, it is important to maintain and strengthen the free trade system. While the World Trade Organization continues to play an important role in this effort, free trade agreements (FTAs) offer a means of strengthening partnerships in areas not covered by the WTO and achieving liberalization beyond levels attainable under the WTO.
Japan: Red tape, resistance block free trade accords
27-May-2004 Japan: Red tape, resistance block free trade accords
Correctly tweaked, the numbers make perfect sense - free trade agreements (FTAs) between Japan and South-east Asian countries could provide a much-needed fillip to the moribund Japanese economy, and will in turn give a boost to a region in which Japan is already the biggest investor.
Japan’s policy to strengthen economic partnership
27-May-2004 Japan’s policy to strengthen economic partnership
– Promoting Economic Partnership Agreements with closely related countries and regions
Japan Needs FTAs
26-May-2004
Free trade agreements are now becoming the rule in world trade and Japan is at a big disadvantage if it does not take part in the game.
Businesses Lukewarm on Korea-Japan FTA
26-May-2004
In contrast to the recent push for adopting a free trade agreement (FTA) with Chile, leading business organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and Korea Federation of Small Business (KFSB), take a cautious approach to back ongoing FTA talks with Japan.
Japan-Korea FTA Study Group Report
17-May-2004
In July 2002, Japan and Korea established a Joint Study Group, composed of representatives from the government, business and academia of both countries, to appraise the possibility of establishing the Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement (JKFTA).
Japan aiming to expand scope of free trade agreements
11-May-2004 Govt aiming to expand scope of free trade agreements
The government has decided to expand the scope of its free trade agreement negotiations with several Asian countries, including South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia, aiming to conclude comprehensive economic partnership agreements (EPAs), government officials said Wednesday.
Korea: Employers Concerned About FTA With Japan
11-May-2004
The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on Friday proposed that the government take a cautious approach to the ongoing Korea-Japan free trade agreement (FTA) talks, demanding a delay of in the schedule for cutting tariffs on Japanese imports.
Japan and Mexico agree on conclusion of free-trade agreement
24-Apr-2004 FPCJ
On March 12 Japan and Mexico reached virtual accord on the conclusion of a bilateral free-trade agreement following 16 months of negotiations.
PICIS Statement against the Korea-Japan BIT
14-Apr-2004 PICIS Statement against the Korea-Japan Bilateral Investment Treaty
Between 20th and 24th December, representatives from the two countries will meet in Tokyo and finalise the text of the BIT that has been under much criticism from peoples’ movements of both Korea and Japan.
Japan: Free trade with Mexico
5-Apr-2004 Asahi Shimbun
Japan and Mexico have reached a basic accord on free trade. Japan promises to increase imports of pork, oranges and other agricultural products from Mexico, while that country says it will import more steel, automobiles and other industrial products from Japan.
FTAs With Other Asian Nations
2-Apr-2004
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday ordered his Cabinet ministers to work together to accelerate free-trade negotiations with other Asian nations.
FTA talks in cards with Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines - Japan
24-Mar-2004
Japan will hold free-trade talks early next year with Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Thursday.
Accurate Understanding of FTAs is Essential!
24-Mar-2004 Accurate Understanding of FTAs is Essential!
The 5th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Cancun, Mexico, ended without consensus, clouding the prospects for the ongoing negotiations over the Doha Development Agenda.
Japan-Singapore EPA (2000)
23-Mar-2004
Japan-Malaysia EPA: Joint Study Group Report
17-Mar-2004
During his visit to five ASEAN countries including Malaysia in January 2002, the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, proposed the “Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership”, to which the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad gave his full support.