Entry into force of the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Confederation and the first meeting of the Joint Committee

1 September 2009

The Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement") was signed on 19 February 2009 in Tokyo and, after the completion of the respective necessary legal procedures, entered into force on 1 September 2009.
The first meeting of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement was held on 1 September 2009 in Zurich. At this meeting, co-chaired by Ambassador Jun YOKOTA (Japanese side) and Ambassador Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Flieisch (Swiss side), the Joint Committee made decisions necessary for the implementation of the Agreement, including the Operational Procedures referred to in Chapter 2 (PDF) and Operational Procedures referred to in Annex II (PDF). In addition, on this occasion, the Memorandum concerning the Exchange of Young Professional (PDF) was signed.
It is expected that the entry into force of the Agreement will further vitalize the economies of the two countries and tighten their bilateral relations through strengthened economic partnership.