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Ambassador's Message

July 2012

Step Forward
On 18th of July, the College of Commissioners of the EU had adopted the recommendation of the negotiating directives for the agreements that would strengthen Japan-EU relations in the political and economic area. As a result of the decision, the matter will be forwarded to the Council to be discussed among the 27 member countries. We welcome this decision as an important step forward in starting the negotiations for the agreements that further strengthen our ties as two of the most developed economies in the world. On this occasion, I would like to share my thoughts on the significance of the agreement and provide the context to what lays ahead of us.

Our Goal – Making us More Innovative, Competitive and Sustainable
Japan and the EU are close partners that share not only common interest and values but also formidable challenges. Just like the EU, Japan faces an urgent need to achieve economic growth while also addressing the public debt issue. As two of the leading economies in the world, stymied growth of the Japanese and EU economies will have grave impact beyond our borders, and for that very reason it is imperative that we continue to make an arduous effort to rejuvenate our economy and boost economic growth. Such economic growth cannot be achieved without the expansion of trade. Japan-EU joint challenge for the economic partnership agreement should be seen in this context, and a successful agreement that opens up both the country and the market would create a new momentum to make our economies more innovative, competitive and sustainable while also stimulating the desperately needed economic growth. This explains the reason why the mutual effort to swiftly launch the negotiation is extremely important. We strongly hope that there will be an accelerated discussion at the Council in the coming months so that the negotiation can be launched swiftly.

Japanese Determination
Of course, the trade agreement is not the only tool in which we use to seek our ultimate goal of achieving growth. Taking into account the interests of the EU, in recent years Japan has been and continues to be seriously engaged in regulatory reforms. This issue has been addressed by the entire Japanese government with the Government Revitalization Unit, which was established in 2009, serving as a major vehicle. Placed in this context, the decision by the cabinet of the Government of Japan on a “Policy on Regulatory and Institutional Reform”, which was announced on 10th July, marks an important step as it demonstrates the commitment of Japan to push through this challenging task of reform. This has an important implication to the progress of the negotiation for Japan-EU economic partnership agreement also. Among 39 items that are listed in the cabinet decision, 25 of them address the interests of the EU on the non-tariff measures.

Our Responsibility
Japan and the EU are both mature economies with global responsibility in the international arena. By concluding the economic partnership agreement with an unprecedentedly high standard, we would be able to set an example for the rapidly emerging economies. Furthermore, it is an imminent task both for Japan and the EU to build a whole new platform for reinvigoration not only for the good of ourselves but to fulfill our responsibilities as the largest economies in the world. In order to achieve this end, further harmonization or mutual recognition of regulatory systems, as well as the expansion of the trade between Japan and the EU should be pursued. The conclusion of the economic partnership agreement is the best conceivable way to achieve such goal. Recent developments demonstrate the unmistakable sign of momentum being built up. We should not fail to seize this opportunity, and I firmly believe in our ability to overcome even the most difficult issues to elevate our relation to the next level.       

As we address the common issues hand in hand, I look forwards to furthering the friendship between Japan and the EU in the coming years.

Finally, I would like to wish you a pleasant summer.

Kojiro SHIOJIRI
Ambassador of Japan to the European Union