Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement

Last updated March 2017.

The Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (CJEPA) negotiations were launched on March 25, 2012 by the Prime Ministers of Canada and Japan. Seven rounds of negotiations have taken place to date, with the latest round taking place November 17-21, 2014 in Tokyo. For more information, please see background information on the Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

Like a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) enables Canadian businesses to compete on a more even playing field with local firms and international competitors in the EPA partner country. Under an EPA, a range of Canadian goods and services benefit from the reduction or elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, such as quotas or technical barriers.

Consultations

Beginning on February 26, 2011, the Government of Canada embarked on a comprehensive consultation process with the Canadian public, provinces and territories, businesses and non-governmental organizations to seek input on a potential free trade initiative with Japan (see Canada Gazette: Consultations on Possible Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan). The Government of Canada acknowledges the input of all Canadians who have contributed to the consultative process to date. Their views will be taken into account as the Canada-Japan economic relationship continues to evolve and in the development of Canada’s broader trade agenda. We welcome and encourage input from stakeholders throughout the negotiation process. Please contact us with any questions or comments using the contact information below.

The Government of Canada is also conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA) to inform the Canada-Japan free trade negotiations. Environmental assessments of trade negotiations are an important decision-making tool for promoting sustainable development. They can contribute to more open decision-making within the federal government by engaging representatives from other levels of government, the public, the private sector and non-governmental organizations in this process. Environmental assessments can also improve overall policy coherence at the national level by assisting decision-makers to understand environmental implications of trade policy. For more information on how to submit your views on any likely and significant environmental impacts on Canada resulting from the prospective Canada-Japan FTA, please consult the Notice of Intent to Conduct an Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Japan Free Trade Agreement.

Industry Questionnaire

Canadian companies and industry associations are invited to share their experiences in the Japanese market by completing a questionnaire which will help inform Canadian positions throughout the Canada-Japan EPA negotiations. This questionnaire covers technical subject matter such as trade in goods, trade in services, non-tariff barriers to trade, temporary entry for business persons, investment, and government procurement. To receive a copy of the CJEPA Questionnaire, please email: CJEPA/APECJ.TPW@international.gc.ca

Related Links

• CJEPA Frequently Asked Questions
• Joint Study on the Possibility of a Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
• Doing Business with Japan
• Embassy of Canada to Japan
• Japan Overview (Export Development Canada)
• Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Contact Point

If you have questions or comments, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Global Affairs Canada at:

Trade Policy and Negotiations Division, Asia (TPA)
Global Affairs Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building 
125 Sussex Drive 
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2 
Fax: 613-944-5119 
E-mail: CJEPA/APECJ.TPA@international.gc.ca