Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (CJEPA)
Additional background information
Canada is committed to pursuing new opportunities to deepen trade and economic cooperation with Japan. During Prime Minister Harper's March 2012 visit to Japan, he and then Prime Minister Noda announced the launch of comprehensive and high-level economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations, or free trade negotiations. This historic announcement followed the March 7, 2012, release of the "".
Following the launch of Canada-Japan EPA negotiations, the Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) began its study of the EPA in April 2012. The CIIT held a number of hearings and meetings in Canada and Japan to obtain industry, academic, public and government stakeholder views on the initiative. On February 28, 2013, the CIIT tabled its Sixth Report, entitled Report on an . The Report indicates strong support for the EPA negotiations and recommends, among other things, that the Government of Canada conclude as soon as possible an EPA with Japan that provides a net benefit to Canada. The was tabled on June 13, 2013 and is available on the .
In addition to discussions about free trade, Canadian and Japanese senior officials meet for regular consultations in the context of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC). One of the basic documents that lays the groundwork for bilateral cooperation on economic and trade policy is the "" signed in 2005.
Status of the negotiations
On March 25, 2012, Prime Minister Harper and the Prime Minister Noda announced the launch of comprehensive and high-level economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations, or free trade negotiations, in Tokyo.
The announcement followed the March 7, 2012, release of a Canada and Japan Joint Study examining the feasibility for a free trade agreement and outlining a broad range of issues which could be negotiated, including trade in goods, services, investment and trade facilitation (see ). The Joint Study examines each country’s approach to these various issues, and the areas of common ground. The study also summarizes the significant economic gains to be achieved through an EPA with Japan. The Study projects potential gross domestic product gains of approximately $4 billion each for Canada and Japan as a result of free trade. According to the study’s findings, there remains much untapped potential in the Canada-Japan trade relationship.
Negotiations are proceeding well with seven rounds held to date. Round 7 took place the week of November 17-21, 2014 in Tokyo and allowed Canada and Japan to continue to advance this important initiative.
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Japan: Canada’s Partner in Asia-Pacific
Canada-Japan relations are underpinned by political, economic and cultural ties which are bolstered by common values and mutual positive perceptions. Today, Canada and Japan are partners in numerous international groups and organizations including the G8, G20, APEC, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the OECD. Both Canada and Japan are strongly committed to ensuring continued economic vitality, cooperative political relations, and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Trade and economic relations between Canada and Japan have been steadily expanding. With a gross domestic product of almost 5.1 trillion (2013), Japan is the world's third largest national economy and one of Canada's most important economic and commercial partners.
Japan is by far Canada's largest bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) partner in Asia. Japan's FDI in Canada totalled $17.3 billion in 2013, coming from approximately 330 Japanese subsidiaries and affiliate companies operating in Canada and employing tens of thousands of Canadians. Canadian investment in Japan is also significant and diverse with over 100 companies active primarily in the automotive, ICT, financial services, and forestry sectors. The stock of Canadian direct investment in Japan in 2013 totalled almost $4.7 billion.
Japan is Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise export market and our second-largest trading partner in Asia. Canada's merchandise exports to Japan totalled nearly $10.7 billion in 2013 while imports from Japan reached $13.7 billion (2013). Oil seeds (led by canola seed) and mineral fuels and oils (mainly coal) were Canada's primary merchandise export commodities shipped to Japan in 2012, while vehicles and vehicle parts, machinery, and electrical equipment & electronics were Canada's largest merchandise import commodities sourced from Japan.
Canada and Japan are engaged in trade negotiations through the bilateral EPA negotiations and our participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Canada and Japan view working together in the TPP to enhance greater cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and working together bilaterally on our EPA, as mutually supportive efforts, with the CJEPA negotiations providing the opportunity to tailor outcomes to the needs of the bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Harper met with Prime Minister Abe on March 25, 2014 on the margins of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advance the CJEPA in parallel with the TPP negotiations, in line with the strong support for the CJEPA that was already expressed during Prime Minister Abe’s official visit to Ottawa in September 2013.
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