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Japan

METI’s Asia-Oceania FTA pitch surprises but is predictable
18-Apr-2006 Japan Times
Trade minister Toshihiro Nikai’s announcement earlier this month that Japan plans to start talks with 15 other nations in 2008 to create an Asia-Oceania free-trade zone took many by surprise — not only experts but also those within government — sparking speculation about the ministry’s true intentions.
Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (draft, 2003)
17-Apr-2006 JPEPA Research Project
Working draft of the agreement as of 21 April 2003
Japan to be less demanding on FTAs with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos
13-Apr-2006
Japan will not demand as much market opening in negotiations on free trade agreements with Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, compared with talks with the more developed members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, it was learned Monday.
Asian FTA would simplify trade rules
10-Apr-2006
Thai business leaders have welcomed a Japanese proposal to create an East Asian Free Trade zone to integrate economies in the region, but they were sceptical about whether Japan would liberalise its sensitive agricultural sector. If Japan’s idea comes true, they said, it would help countries in the region overcome the ’’spaghetti bowl’’ effect of proliferating bilateral free trade agreements with different trade rules.
Goff calls prospect of Asia FTA ’interesting’
10-Apr-2006
Japan’s proposed Asian regional free trade agreement got tepid support today from Trade Minister Phil Goff, who told the Gateway to Asean Summit in Auckland that the plan was "consistent" with other activities already well underway.
Japan-China trade agreement opposed
10-Apr-2006 Reuters
Japan’s farm minister expressed scepticism toward the idea of a free trade pact with China, while its foreign minister said on Friday the two economic giants should avoid jockeying for power in the region.
New TRT government to proceed with FTA talks
8-Apr-2006 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s new Thai Rak Thai government will proceed with the negotiations of free trade agreements.
Panel pushes 16-nation FTA in Asia, mulls boosting foreign workers
8-Apr-2006 TMCnet
A government policy-setting panel on Friday welcomed a proposal by the trade minister to launch negotiations between Japan and its 15 Asian neighbors to create a free trade zone, and discussed whether to accept more foreign workers amid the aging of society, economic and fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano said.
Filipino and Japanese workers to lose out in JPEPA
7-Apr-2006
Both Filipino and Japanese workers will lose out under the proposed Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) according to a report by Mr. Takemasa Ando, a researcher from Waseda University in Tokyo.
Japan, Saudi Arabia agree to launch FTA talks with GCC
6-Apr-2006 TMCnet
Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed Thursday to launch negotiations on concluding a free trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of six oil producers in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Japanese officials said.
Japan proposes huge free trade zone
6-Apr-2006
Japan’s sponsorship of a vast free trade area including most of Asia, Australia and New Zealand is expected to be on the agenda when Associate Trade Minister Jim Sutton visits Tokyo later this month.
RP sees Japan trade deal in July
5-Apr-2006 ABS-CBN
The Philippines’ top diplomat said Wednesday he hoped to sign a delayed free-trade deal with Japan in July to mark the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of relations after World War II.
Japanese govt to propose big Asian free-trade zone
4-Apr-2006 AFX
The Japanese government plans to propose the formation of an Asian free-trade zone which could include half the world’s population and rival the EU and NAFTA, an official of the trade ministry said.
International researcher hits Japanese aid to RP
29-Mar-2006 Sun Star
A visiting Japanese researcher accused her own government of extending international aid that runs counter to the interest of the Filipinos. Kayoko’s observation came after members of the Philippine House of Representatives petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the government from finalizing an economic agreement with Japan.
Possible Korea-Japan FTA could hurt conglomerates
27-Mar-2006
Even big Korean conglomerates may feel the blow if Seoul and Tokyo ink a free trade agreement, according to a report by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy.
FTA to cut auto sales
27-Mar-2006 Asia Times Online
A free trade agreement between South Korea and Japan is expected to reduce domestic sales of local carmakers by up to 226,000 units annually.
SC asked to stop RP from finalizing trade deal with Japan
21-Mar-2006 INQ7.net
Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party has asked the Philippine Supreme Court to stop the government from finalizing an economic agreement with Japan, which the party-list group alleges contains a provision that will allow this country to trade its hazardous and toxic waste products.
Govt eyes FTAs with China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea
21-Mar-2006 PTI News
The Indian government said it is looking at the possibility of Free Trade Agreements with a host of nations including Japan, China and Korea, with a view to increase India’s trade with the Asian countries.
China rivalry fuels Japan’s FTA drive
13-Mar-2006 Peace Journalism
Japan is revving up its drive toward free-trade agreements, or FTAs, with trading partners, largely fueled by an intensifying rivalry with China, a rapidly ascendant economic as well as military power.
Japan to resume free-trade talks with Asean in April
13-Mar-2006 Manila Times
The Japanese government has decided to resume stalled talks with Asean over signing a free-trade deal from next month, as other Asian nations rush to conclude such agreements.