Notification of the Entry into Force of the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

October 21, 2008

Following the cabinet decision on October 21 (Tue), the notification of the completion of the legal procedures for the entry into force of the Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership among Japan and the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) will be made to each government of the ASEAN Member States on October 22 (Wed). With this notification, the Agreement will enter into force on December 1 (Mon) with the ASEAN Member States which will have made the notification before the end of this month. With regards to the ASEAN Member States which will make the notification later, the Agreement will enter into force subsequently in accordance with the stipulations of the Agreement.
To strengthen the economic partnership with ASEAN, this Agreement provides for the liberalization and facilitation of trade in goods between Japan and the ASEAN Member States, promoting cooperation in such fields as intellectual property, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and holding negotiations for the liberalization of trade in services and liberalization and protection of investment. And the Agreement has been signed by Japan and the ASEAN Member States in April this year.
With the entry into force of the Agreement, it is expected that the economic relationship with ASEAN will be further invigorated, contributing to enhancement of their strategic relationship.

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