Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – Japan

Japan (2014)

GDP ($ billions): 5,103.2
GDP per capita ($): 40,164
GDP growth rate (%): -0.1
Consumers (millions): 127.1
Japan’s Main Imports (from the world): Mineral fuel/oil; electric machinery; machinery and mechanical appliances/parts; ores/slag/ash; optic/photo/medical or surgical instruments

Canada's merchandise exports to Japan (2012−2014 annual average) (value in millions of Canadian dollars)
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Canada's merchandise exports to Japan (2012−2014 annual average) (value in millions of Canadian dollars)

  • Agriculture and Agri-food (4,419.4)
  • Fish and Seafood Products (462.1)
  • Forestry Products (1,725.5)
  • Mineral Products (2,735.8)
  • Iron and Steel Products (390.6)
  • Pharmaceutical Products (384.9)
  • Other Industrial (2,308.2)

Japan is the third largest economy in the world by GDP. Of the TPP economies with which Canada does not currently have a free trade agreement, Japan is the largest, and offers Canadians significant opportunities.

From 2012 to 2014, Canada exported an annual average of $12.4 billion of merchandise to Japan.

Preferential Access to Japan in Areas of Key Interest to Canada:

Industrial Goods: : Canada’s exports to Japan totalled $5.8 billion (2012−14 average). Key products: nickel; furskin coats; cosmetics; chemicals and plastics.

Fish and Seafood: Canada’s exports to Japan totalled $462.1 million (2012−14 average). Key products: frozen snow crabs; frozen shrimps and prawns; frozen halibut.

Wood and Other Forestry Products: Canada’s exports to Japan totalled $1.7 billion (2012−14 average). Key products: coniferous sawn wood; oriented strand board; wooden posts and beams.

Agriculture: Canada’s exports to Japan totalled $4.4 billion (2012−14). Key products: pork; frozen berries; maple sugar and maple syrup.

Beyond Tariffs

Through the TPP, Canada’s service industry will also benefit from improved market access commitments into Japan in key sectors, such as:

  • professional services (e.g. urban planning and landscape architectural services);
  • research and development services;
  • environmental services;
  • transportation services; and
  • other business services (e.g. services related to manufacturing and technical testing and analysis services).

With regard to temporary entry of business persons, new commitments will make it easier for Canadian businesses to temporarily move certain categories of business persons to Japan. These new commitments include enhanced access for certain highly-skilled Canadian professionals and technicians. 

Furthermore, new commitments will allow spouses of certain Canadian business persons to enter and work in Japan.