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Signing of the Japan - EU Agreement

on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters

30th November 2009, Brussels

Mr Nobutake ODANO, Ambassador Head of the Mission of Japan to the European Union (L) - Ms Beatrice ASK Minister for Justice, President of the Council (Centre) - Mr Jacques BARROT, Vice-President of the European Commission (R)

[Photo Copyright, Council of the European Union]

1. Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan signed the agreement between Japan and the European Union (EU) on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (the Japan-EU Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters) in Tokyo on December 15 (Tue). Ms. Beatrice Ask, Minister for Justice of the Kingdom of Sweden (Presidency of the Council of the EU), on the EU side, already signed the Agreement on November 30.
   
   
2. Although the parties of this Agreement are Japan and the EU, it provides for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between Japan and the twenty-seven EU member states. Based on a request by one side to the other, the Agreement establishes obligations to execute assistance such as provision of evidence in connection with proceedings including investigations and prosecutions. It also provides that central authorities listed in the Annex I to this Agreement directly communicate between themselves, rather than via diplomatic routes, to this end.
   
   
3. Through the conclusion of this agreement, Japan and the EU member states will be able to exercise mutual legal assistance on broader range of issues and it becomes more certain that requests would be executed. It is also expected that, through the direct communication between central authorities, the efficiency and speed of mutual legal assistance between the Japan and the EU member states will improve and that Japan-EU cooperation tackling crimes will be promoted further.
   
   
4. Japan and the EU reached agreement in principle in November after four rounds of negotiation since April 2009. The signing took place after the necessary procedures were completed by both sides. This is the first agreement signed between Japan and the EU.