Japan Lower House Begins Debate on EPA with EU

November 21, 2018

Tokyo--The House of Representatives on Tuesday began deliberations on whether to approve an economic partnership agreement for free trade between Japan and the European Union.

At a plenary meeting of the lower chamber of the Diet, Japan's parliament, opposition forces expressed concern about negative effects of the planned tariff reduction for dairy products on domestic farmers.

But the government said a surge in imports is unlikely, adding that it will strengthen assistance to boost the competitive power of the agricultural sector.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono said the bilateral EPA, signed in July, "will make goods and services trade liberalized further and increase investment opportunities."

The government hopes the deal will come into effect next February.

Under the EPA, Japan will create low-tariff import quotas for cheese products from the EU. Japanese imports of furniture and other wooden products may also increase.

With these in mind, opposition lawmakers said the deal would affect domestic farmers significantly.

In response, agriculture minister Takamori Yoshikawa said the government "will work to dispel the anxieties and concerns of dairy farmers so they can work at ease."

Tokyo is promoting free trade through the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement among 11 nations including Japan and Australia, as well as through the Japan-EU EPA.

It is also set to start negotiations on a bilateral trade pact with the United States next January. Jiji Press