Snapshot
- Formal Australia-Japan FTA negotiations have been under way since 2007
- The agreement will allow Japanese customers direct access to services provided by Australian entities in the legal, financial and telecommunications sectors
In early April 2014, Australia successfully concluded negotiations with Japan for the bilateral Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA). The achievement is an historic move towards greater economic and investment relations with our second-largest trading partner, with signing expected to occur in July 2014 when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Australia.
Once enacted, the JAEPA will lower barriers to trade and investment for improved economic performance and productivity between the two countries, and is expected to bolster the recent growth in Japanese investment and M&A activity in Australia.