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Japan

Japan rules out early FTA and PTA with Pakistan
8-Apr-2005 Business Recorder
Japanese Foreign Minister Nobuptaka Mechimura has ruled out any possibility of early Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Pakistan.
Indonesia, Japan likely to negotiate FTA soon
8-Apr-2005 VNA
Indonesia and Japan are likely to start talks on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) later this month during Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s attendance at the Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta.
Thai private sector against Japan trade deal
6-Apr-2005
Thailand’s private sector has warned the government that several of the country’s industries are too weak to cope with the impact of a free trade agreement with Japan.
Malaysia FTA hits roadblock over cars
6-Apr-2005
Negotiations over a free trade agreement between Japan and Malaysia have hit a speed bump over cars, a focal point of the talks, due to Kuala Lumpur’s determination to continue protecting its local industry.
Lobbying by Japanese irks industrialists
5-Apr-2005
Free-trade negotiations between Thailand and Japan could collapse if Japanese negotiators continue to lobby Thai politicians instead of dealing with the country’s trade negotiators, business executives warn.
Local manufacturers cry foul over change in stance on steel
5-Apr-2005
Removing protection of hot-rolled steel under the Thai-Japan free trade area (FTA) agreement will create unfair treatment between local steel manufacturers and automotive makers, according to steel manufacturers.
Mexican free trade under way
4-Apr-2005
Many people in Japan doubtlessly woke up Friday morning ignorant of the fact that April 1 was Day One of free trade with Mexico.
Somkid calls for commission to study steel-related issues : Now a major obstacle in Japan FTA talks
3-Apr-2005
Thailand and Japan should establish a bilateral commission to examine steel quality standards and product requirements of the domestic auto industry, according to Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Japan, Thailand strike pact on FTA talks’ farm aspects
31-Mar-2005
Japan and Thailand have struck a basic deal on the contentious farm products segment of trade talks, Japanese government sources said Wednesday.
Japan, Thailand strike pact on FTA talks’ farm aspects
31-Mar-2005 Japan Times
Japan and Thailand have struck a basic deal on the contentious farm products segment of trade talks, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The deal is a major step toward striking a bilateral free-trade agreement as early as next month.
Thai FTA accord in sight
24-Mar-2005 Asahi Shimbun
Japan and Thailand are expected to reach basic agreement as early as next week on agricultural, forestry and fishery products, moving closer to the conclusion of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
Australia: Push to free up Japan on trade
23-Mar-2005 The Australian
John Howard will ask Japan to support an official feasibility study as the first substantial step towards a bilateral free trade agreement when he visits Tokyo next month.
Japan-South Korea ties on the rocks
23-Mar-2005 Asia Times
When are a few sea-swept, uninhabited rocky islets more than a bunch of rocks? When they involve lucrative fisheries and emotional issues that hark back to the days of the Japanese Empire.
RI-Japan partnership too exclusive
23-Mar-2005 Jakarta Post
The public, along with NGOs, academics and business groups — both pro- and anti-free trade — should be well-informed about the development of the Indonesia-Japan EPA.
No rush in free-trade deal with US - DTI
21-Mar-2005 Manila Bulletin
Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos said there is no rush in the proposed bilateral free-trade agreement with the US noting the country’s trade with the US is slowly losing steam while gaining markets elsewhere particularly, ASEAN, Japan and Greater China.
Japan seeks bilateral trade deals with southeast Asia
28-Feb-2005 Daily Times
Japan plans to expand trade in Southeast Asia through a network of bilateral free trade pacts - from Thailand and Malaysia to Indonesia and the Philippines, a senior Japanese trade official said.
China-Japan-Korea investment opportunities studied
25-Feb-2005 China Daily
A joint study group, consisting of members from China, Japan and South Korea, issued a report recently on possible trilateral investment arrangements between the three countries, which recommended that a legal framework concerning investment among the three countries should be explored in the near future. Such an investment arrangement, if well operated, would give a fresh boost to the start of FTA negotiations.
JPEPA: More Japanese investments, trade opportunities seen
23-Feb-2005 Philippine Star
More Japanese investments and trade opportunities are expected to pour into the Philippines following a recent visit from one of Japan’s biggest trade groups - the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) - and the forthcoming realization of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
Japan trying to resume FTA talks with S. Korea
23-Feb-2005 Kyodo
The bilateral negotiations have made little progress as South Korea has criticized Japanese-planned liberalization of farm product imports as being far from sufficient.
Japan to sign FTA with Switzerland
22-Feb-2005 New Kerala
An FTA with Switzerland, to be reached by April, would allow Japan to strengthen its position to fight back pressure to open up its agricultural market.