Joint Press Release with the Ministry of Foreign AffairsFirst Round of the Negotiations for a Japan-Canada Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

1. The first round of the negotiations for a Japan-Canada Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held from November 26 to November 30 in Tokyo.
2. The meeting was attended by, on the Japanese side, Mr. Jun Yokota, Ambassador in charge of Economic Diplomacy (Chief Delegate) and representatives from other relevant ministries, and on the Canadian side, Mr. Ian Burney, Assistant Deputy Minister for Trade Policy and Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Chief Negotiator) and representatives from other relevant departments.
3. At the round, the framework for the negotiations including negotiation structure and negotiating groups was discussed, and both sides shared their understanding. Both sides exchanged their views on a broad range of negotiating areas at Expert-level meetings.
4. The next negotiation (second round) will be held in Ottawa around April 2013. The details of the schedule will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

November 30, 2012

Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau