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Japan

US ’better free trade partner than Japan, China’
26-May-2006 Chosun Ilbo
The US is a much better free-trade partner for Korea than China or Japan, where issues of race and historical animosities would make an agreement difficult, Korea’s chief negotiator in free-trade talks with the US said Thursday.
SC has no jurisdiction over treaties, says Sol-Gen
25-May-2006 PDI
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has no jurisdiction to issue a ruling on a petition filed by party-list group Akbayan seeking to stop the government from signing a bilateral trade pact with Japan without a full disclosure of its provisions to the public.
US envoy to Japan calls for economic treaty
25-May-2006 FT
Washington’s ambassador to Japan on Wednesday added his voice to those calling for closer economic integration between the world’s two biggest economies, though he stopped short of formally proposing talks aimed at the conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement.
JPEPA: Arbitration framework readied
18-May-2006 Manila Bulletin
The Philippines and Japan are moving towards adopting arbitration procedures in settling disputes to avoid lengthy and expensive court battles in protecting investments from both sides as they finalize their proposed bilateral free trade pact.
Thailand-Japan FTA off until 2007
17-May-2006 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Commerce Karun Kittisataporn said the Thai-Japanese FTA will be signed only after the new Thai government takes office. This almost certainly means next year, as the new general election is likely to be put off until later this year.
Japan agrees to non-quota deployment of nurses—RP exec
11-May-2006 INQ7
Discussions on the labor component of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) finally moved forward after Japan agreed to a non-quota deployment of Filipino nurses and caregivers, a labor official said.
Australia, Japan set to launch FTA talks
10-May-2006 AAP
Australia and Japan expect to launch negotiations on a free trade deal late this year or early in 2007, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said.
Energy concerns fueling Japan’s drive to pursue free trade pact
8-May-2006 Jakarta Post
Energy resource-poor Japan is turning to a free-trade agreement, or FTA, with oil and gas-rich trading partners to secure stable supplies to fuel the world’s second largest economy.
India aiming for Pan-Asian FTA: Manmohan
6-May-2006
Having concluded free trade agreements with SAARC, Singapore and Thailand, India is pursuing similar arrangements with several other Asian countries, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said here on Friday.
Seoul to resume stalled FTA talks with Japan
6-May-2006 Asia Times
South Korea’s finance minister says the country will seek to resume its stalled negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan after wrapping up a pact with the United States.
Japan on verge of signing FTA
4-May-2006 The Australian
Australia is preparing to move ahead with a free-trade agreement next year with its most important trading partner, Japan, on the 50th anniversary of the ground-breaking treaty of commerce between the two countries.
Japan, Vietnam agree to start official FTA talks
29-Apr-2006 Kyodo
Japan and Vietnam agreed on Friday to launch formal negotiations aimed at sealing a bilateral free trade agreement later this year.
Anti-FTA group urges govt to abandon FTAs
28-Apr-2006 Bangkok Post
An activist group monitoring the Free Trade Area agreements between Thailand and other countries has urged the Government to stop negotiating now and give up plans to sign FTA accords with Japan and the United States.
Viet Nam, Japan start second FTA study session in Tokyo
27-Apr-2006
Viet Nam and Japan began their second study session in Tokyo on April 26 to explore the possibility of signing a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
Diet steps closer to ratifying free-trade pact with Malaysia
27-Apr-2006 Japan Times
The Diet cleared a free-trade agreement with Malaysia on Wednesday, bringing the pact one step closer to coming into force. To complete the ratification process, the Diet still needs to pass related bills concerning rules on product origin and tariff rates. In Malaysia, ratification does not require legislative measures, only administrative procedures.
FTA with Japan, China would hurt local fisheries sector: report
26-Apr-2006 YONHAP
A free trade pact between South Korea, China and Japan could damage South Korea’s fisheries industry, a report said Wednesday.
Watchdog demands delay to talks
26-Apr-2006 Bangkok Post
FTA Watch, a Thai civic group campaigning against free trade pacts, demanded an amendment to article 224 of Thailand’s constitution to clearly state that any bilateral trade deals be subject to parliament’s endorsement without conditions.
Japan proposes text on resources cooperation with Indonesia for FTA
24-Apr-2006 Kyodo
Japan and Indonesia wrapped up their fourth round of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement in Tokyo on Friday, with Japan proposing for the first time a draft clause in the FTA which calls for bilateral cooperation on mineral resources.
US Ambassador unhappy about Japan’s idea of East Asia FTA
20-Apr-2006 CRI
US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer expressed concern on Wednesday about Japan’s idea to create a free trade zone in East Asia, claiming it could damage US regional interests.
Indonesia, Japan resume free trade negotiations
18-Apr-2006 Jakarta Post
Indonesia and Japan began their fourth round of official negotiations for a bilateral trade and economic cooperation agreement Monday, and hope to reach a basic accord by the end of the year at the latest.