Describes bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that this country is party to, including with the United States. Includes websites and other resources where U.S. companies can get more information on how to take advantage of these agreements.
Last Published: 9/6/2019

As of July 2017, Japan had entered into economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with 14 countries and ASEAN:

  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Mongolia
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • ASEAN
On July 11, 2018, Japan and the European Union (EU) signed an EPA, taking a step closer to an economic bloc that would account for nearly a third of all global trade.  Note the text of the agreement.  The agreement will enter into force after ratification by the EU and Japan, and will remove tariffs on more than 95% of goods traded between Japan and the EU member states.

In March 2018, Japan and ten other countries signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). It goes into force 60 days after six of the ten signatories have ratified the agreement. Mexico and Japan have already ratified the agreement. Four other countries are expected to do so by the end of 2018. The United States is not a signatory of this agreement.
EPAs or Free Trade Agreements are currently being negotiated with:
  • Columbia
  • Japan-China-Republic of Korea (South Korea)
  • Turkey
  • Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Negotiations have been postponed suspended with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Canada, and Korea.

Japan has held ongoing negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free trade agreement since 2012 with several countries, including:
  • Australia
  • ASEAN members
  • China
  • India
  • South Korea (Republic of Korea)
  • New Zealand

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs -  EPAs and free trade agreements.

For information on sector-specific agreements between the United States and Japan visit the Department of Commerce Enforcement and Compliance website.
Japan is a full member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.