- Negotiations
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 April 2012, 15 rounds of talks had been held.
The deal is supposed to be a comprehensive one, but there are serious differences over agriculture, automobiles and energy. 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. Meanwhile, 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. Many analysts have viewed the conclusion of this deal as a prerequisite for Japan to enter into Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
last update: May 2012
Photo: spDuchamp/CC BY 2.0
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.
13-Mar-2006
ABC
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is backing increased overseas investment between Japan and Australian agribusiness, as part of any free trade deal between the countries.
22-Sep-2005
Sydney Morning Herald
Australia and Japan have finalised the details of a planned free-trade feasibility study, Trade Minister Mark Vaile has said. But despite the breakthrough, Mr Vaile cautioned that any deal on a free trade agreement (FTA) was still a long way off and faced political hurdles.
20-Aug-2005
AAP News
Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Mineichi Iwanaga says Japan has no intention of concluding a free-trade agreement with Australia.
22-Apr-2005
ABC
The National Farmers Federation says a free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and Japan would be counterproductive if it did not include agriculture
21-Apr-2005
There is no point proceeding with a feasibility study into a free trade agreement between Australia and Japan if agriculture is excluded from the deal, Labor says.
21-Apr-2005
Agriculture might not feature in a free trade deal between Australia and Japan, with Prime Minister John Howard acknowledging it may be too big an obstacle to overcome.
21-Apr-2005
Yomiuri Shimbun
Heading down what Japan’s agricultural sector fear could be a bumpy road, Prime Minster Junichiro Koizumi and Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday announced a joint feasibility study into a free trade agreement between the two countries.
21-Apr-2005
The Australian
There is no point proceeding with a feasibility study into a free trade agreement between Australia and Japan if agriculture is excluded from the deal, Labor says.
19-Apr-2005
Japan has decided not to pursue free trade talks with Australia because of concerns that its agricultural industry could be harmed, a news report said yesterday.