We, BUSINESSEUROPE and KEIDANREN, welcome the start of negotiations for an EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) / Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and follow the discussions with great interest. The agreement should be ambitious and comprehensive, eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers and addressing other issues related to trade and investment.

Unwavering political commitment on both sides is required to realize the expected economic benefits such an agreement would bring in the form of growth and jobs and to strengthen the global trading system in which the agreement would form one of the largest partnerships.

We strongly hope that the upcoming Japan-EU Summit to be held in Tokyo on 19 November will deliver a clear message that the leaders of both sides remain fully committed to the earliest possible conclusion of an agreement and that the summit will provide an extra impetus for the negotiation process.

In light of the fact that the EU and Japan are engaged in several other FTA negotiations, both sides should also be attentive to preempt any unnecessary regulatory divergence among the advanced economies and work out a common set of rules that is globally relevant.

Taking this opportunity, we renew our call upon the EU and Japan to vigorously tackle challenges across all industrial sectors, including

1. ensuring regulatory coherence through, for example, notification, consultation, and early solicitation of comments when introducing or revising domestic regulations, and conducting continuous consultation on better regulations;
2. promoting harmonization and mutual recognition of technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures as well as mandating prior notification of their introduction and revision at a sufficiently early stage;
3. enhancing protection of intellectual property; and
4. promoting cooperation to ensure fair access to raw materials and energy.

If these challenges are met in a final agreement, industry competitiveness in both regions will be enhanced, thereby having a positive impact on growth and jobs. The agreement will also constitute a significant step forward toward a seamless business environment on a global scale including emerging countries.

We, the business communities of the EU and Japan, have a pivotal role to play. We will continue to promote industrial dialogue on a sectoral basis to facilitate win-win solutions to industry-specific issues, and we stand ready to provide input during all phases of the negotiations.

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We, EUROCHAMBRES and KEIDANREN, welcome the start of negotiations for an EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) / Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and follow the discussions with great interest. The agreement should be ambitious and comprehensive, eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers and addressing other issues related to trade and investment.

Unwavering political commitment on both sides is required to realize the expected economic benefits such an agreement would bring in the form of growth and jobs and to strengthen the global trading system in which the agreement would form one of the largest partnerships.

We strongly hope that the upcoming Japan-EU Summit to be held in Tokyo on 19 November will deliver a clear message that the leaders of both sides remain fully committed to the earliest possible conclusion of an agreement and that the summit will provide an extra impetus for the negotiation process.

In light of the fact that the EU and Japan are engaged in several other FTA negotiations, both sides should also be attentive to preempt any unnecessary regulatory divergence among the advanced economies and work out a common set of rules that is globally relevant.

Taking this opportunity, we renew our call upon the EU and Japan to vigorously tackle challenges across all industrial sectors, including

1. ensuring regulatory coherence through, for example, notification, consultation, and early solicitation of comments when introducing or revising domestic regulations, and conducting continuous consultation on better regulations;
2. promoting harmonization and mutual recognition of technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures as well as mandating prior notification of their introduction and revision at a sufficiently early stage;
3. enhancing protection of intellectual property; and
4. promoting cooperation to ensure fair access to raw materials and energy.

If these challenges are met in a final agreement, industry competitiveness in both regions will be enhanced, thereby having a positive impact on growth and jobs. The agreement will also constitute a significant step forward toward a seamless business environment on a global scale including emerging countries.

We, the business communities of the EU and Japan, have a pivotal role to play. We will continue to promote industrial dialogue on a sectoral basis to facilitate win-win solutions to industry-specific issues, and we stand ready to provide input during all phases of the negotiations.