[ Nippon Keidanren ] [ Policy ]

Joint Statement
U.S-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement


January 19, 2007
Business Roundtable / Nippon Keidanren

Business Roundtable and the Nippon Keidanren believe that a United States-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) holds tremendous potential for the U.S., Japanese, and world economies, and urge their governments to begin discussion toward a framework for negotiation of such an agreement as soon as possible.

To facilitate the launch of such discussion, our governments should initiate a joint U.S.-Japan industry-academia-government study and research. The joint study should be launched as soon as possible. Business Roundtable and Keidanren will work together to provide private sector input on the structure and substance of negotiations for the following reasons:

These economic facts reflect unprecedented good economic relations in recent years. A U.S.-Japan EPA would build on this interdependence by providing longer-term stability and new opportunities for growth in the U.S.-Japan economic relationship, symbolizing the continued vitality of the countries' alliance. Moreover, an EPA would facilitate the ability of both countries to continue and enhance their roles as global economic leaders in a dynamically changing global landscape. Finally, an EPA between the United States and Japan could be constructive in facilitating broader economic integration in the Asia Pacific region.

A U.S.-Japan EPA should be a comprehensive and high-level agreement. While the economies are entwined, barriers remain; there is significant untapped potential from this tremendous economic relationship, for instance:

Moreover, an EPA presents an opportunity for the world's two largest economies to set forth a blueprint of what international economic liberalization should look like in the 21st century.

An EPA must complement, not replace, other efforts to expand economic growth through trade and investment.

But while world trade talks move slowly, the governments have an opportunity to push ahead and lead by example, to demonstrate the importance of open trade, investment and regulatory reform, and to establish a new foundation for United States-Japan economic relations.


Business Roundtable (www.businessroundtable.org) is an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with $4.5 trillion in annual revenues and more than 10 million employees. Member companies comprise nearly a third of the total value of the U.S. stock markets and represent over 40 percent of all corporate income taxes paid. Collectively, they returned $112 billion in dividends to shareholders and the economy in 2005.
Roundtable companies give more than $7 billion a year in combined charitable contributions, representing nearly 60 percent of total corporate giving. They are technology innovation leaders, with $90 billion in annual research and development spending -- nearly half of the total private R&D spending in the U.S.
Nippon Keidanren (www.keidanren.or.jp) is the key representative organization for Japanese business and industry with 1,662 members. It represents the interests of 1,3514 leading companies, 130 industrial sector associations, and 47 regional economic organizations. Keidanren is committed to contributing to the further development of the national and global economy. Keidanren proactively works towards better business environment both at home and abroad.

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