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

December 1, 2008
Japanese

The Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Japan and Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) entered into force today, December 1 (Mon), between Japan, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The Agreement will become effective in relation to other ASEAN member states once they make a notification on the completion of their respective legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement.
Today, the Joint Committee established pursuant to the Agreement will meet for the first time at the ASEAN office in Jakarta, Indonesia and adopt operational rules.
To strengthen the economic partnership between Japan and the ASEAN, the Agreement liberalizes and facilitates trade in goods between Japan and the ASEAN Member States, promotes cooperation in such fields as intellectual property as well as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and stipulates that it will hold negotiations for the liberalization of trade in services and the liberalization and protection of investment.
With the entry into force of the Agreement, Japan’s economic relationship with the ASEAN is expected to be further invigorated, contributing to the enhancement of their strategic relationship.

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